The Nest 56: Nutritional Influences on Brain, Behaviour, and Growth Trajectories in School‐Aged Children

This issue of The Nest focuses on the critical role of nutrition in supporting growth, brain development, learning, and behavior during the school-age years. It explores how children's unique metabolic needs require nutrient-dense diets for optimal organ development, particularly for the brain which undergoes continuous maturation throughout childhood and adolescence. This publication also examines the impact of breakfast consumption on cognitive function, academic performance, and overall diet quality. Additionally, it presents systematic evidence from 76 studies linking dietary patterns and specific nutrients to improved brain structure, cognitive skills, and behavioral outcomes.

Read The Nest 56 to discover how these evidence-based insights can support your clinical work with children and families, and help guide practical nutrition recommendations for school-aged children.