Relationship Between Nutrition and Cognitive Performance in Primary School Children in Kebbi State

This study examines the relationship between nutritional status and cognitive performance among primary school children in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. Malnutrition continues to undermine child development outcomes in many parts of north-western Nigeria, where food insecurity and limited dietary diversity remain persistent challenges for low-income households. This research employed a cross-sectional design involving 350 children aged 6 to 12 years selected from rural and peri-urban primary schools in Birnin Kebbi and Argungu local government areas. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements and a 24-hour dietary recall protocol, while cognitive performance was evaluated using adapted Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices and a teacher-administered literacy battery. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were applied. Results indicate significant positive relationships between dietary diversity, height-for-age z-scores, and cognitive performance scores. Stunted children performed significantly lower on both reasoning and literacy tasks. Children consuming breakfast before school demonstrated higher morning session performance compared to those arriving without meals, underscoring the acute cognitive effects of short-term hunger. The study recommends that the Kebbi State Government strengthen school feeding programmes and integrate nutrition education into the primary school health curriculum. Collaboration with community health workers to monitor nutritional status in school-age populations is also recommended. Keywords: nutrition, cognitive performance, primary school children, Kebbi State, stunting.