Abstract
Cognitive abilities are encapsulated as set of higher-order functions which are pivotal for interpreting, analyzing and navigating one’s environment. As adolescence is recognized as a crucial period of physiological, psychological and neural development, nutritional deficiencies spanning both macro and micronutrients can significantly deteriorate the cognitive maturation. This has prompted a growing scholarly interest in analyzing how specific dietary components can influence varied dimensions of cognition. The key rational of this study is to examine the dimensions of dietary macronutrients and micronutrients that demonstrate direct relationship with the cognitive functions of adolescents. Utilizing a correlational research design, this study analyzed a sample of 305 adolescents from government schools of Delhi, India using purposive sampling procedure. Correlation and regression methods were used to analyze the data. The statistical output derived using correlation analysis demonstrates a significant positive relationship between nutritional intake—specifically macronutrients (energy, protein, fats and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (iron, calcium and phosphorus)—and multiple cognitive domains, including awareness, memory, understanding, reasoning and problem solving, as well as the composite cognitive ability score. The regression models further establish that dietary intake specifically energy, carbohydrates, iron and calcium are serves as a primary determinant for various cognitive ability domains. These evidences have concluded that nutrition-rich dietary regime is fundamental for fostering adolescent cognitive development. These results will help family, society and government authorities for developing multi-faceted approach which ensure that each and every adolescent will receive essential Macronutrients and Micronutrients for safeguarding them against cognitive impairment.
Keywords: Adolescents, Cognitive abilities, Macronutrients, Memory, Micronutrients, Problem Solving.