**5. Conclusion**

with objects in comparison with those infants who did not take naps. In addition to the benefits on learning and memory, it has been shown that naps may be beneficial for language learning. It is known that the sleep in adolescents may be affected by the use of electronic devices at night. This directly affects the neurons of the suprachiasmatic nuclei and the pineal gland, inhibiting the secretion of melatonin and delaying or disrupting sleep. In addition, the wavelength and intensity of light can negatively affect attention during the morning [68]. Given that the use of electronic devices may not be restricted completely, it is advisable not to use them at night in order to avoid the effects on sleep and health in general. In adults, a short nap has an impact on stress response. Cognitive disorders, such as the formation and storage of memory, including attention, executive functions, emotional reactivity, decision-making, and judgment, result in a reduction of their quality of life in general [69]. In this sense, a good night sleep is an essential factor for maintaining mental health on cognitive processes associated to learning and academic performance such as

Academic performance may be susceptible to change or impact on various factors, such as those we have previously addressed like sleep and physical activity among others. However, it is important to know if the supply or nutrition can modify the student's academic performance or cognitive functioning, with the aim of generating strategies that support mental health in school-age children and adolescents. During childhood and adolescence, eating behaviors are very important. Given that in this stage, brain uses the most glucose or energy

In addition to the breakfast hours, various analyses have noted the relationship between the types of food and academic performance. For example, fast food or "junk food" which contains the greatest number of calories and few nutrients. It was noted that low consumption of this type of food is associated with a better academic performance in children of preschool age, particularly with less consumption of sugary drinks [71]. As was expected, the intake of vegetables and fruit improves academic performance, although more studies are needed in

A group of researchers recently analyzed the dietary effect of breakfast on scholar achievement in children from 8 to 15 years of age. The research consisted of a variety of diets such as fruit, vegetable, and sweetened drinks. The goal of the research was to analyze the relationship between the consumption of these diets and the grades of the students. The results showed that diet is associated with higher academic grades in children who consumed vegetables and fruits compared with those children who consumed sweetened drinks, who showed the low-

The consumption of proteins and other nutrients from a diet of fish showed that there also exists a significant association related to academic performance and vocabulary scores in a study that observed 700 students between 12 and 18 years of age in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary with respect to age, sex, and academic trajectory, as

memory, attention, perception, and physical activity.

to the processes of attention, memory, and learning [70].

est scores, mainly in grammar, reading, and writing [73].

this regard in different population [72].

well as with different populations [74].

**4.3. Nutrition**

22 Health and Academic Achievement

This chapter has looked at studies in executive function and stress through the eyes of neurophysiology. Self-control of stress can promote a reduction in the action of the amygdala, and the subject can resolve the stressful situation. However, if we do not have control, it will cause alteration in the prefrontal cortex affecting the mental and physical health of the subject.

In relation to academic stressors, the lack of control strategies can promote increasing blood cortisol levels, which affect the psychomotor integrity of the individual. One of the factors that can affect executive functions is stress. The relationship between specific stressors and the deficit in executive functions in academic performance includes factors such as bullying and addictions. This knowledge leads to creating information strategies to alert teachers and parents about the consequences of these factors on cognition.

This chapter has also described a number of interventions designed to increase the level of executive function. Physical activity, good sleep, and nutrition at different stages of life are important factors for the maintenance of the body health. These are essential factors for maintaining mental health on cognitive processes associated with learning and academic performance such as memory, attention, and perception. The authors contend that using any of these different techniques may prove successful in alleviating the chronic or acute stress that permeates the school setting and is predictive of executive function deficits.
