That connection between Food and Cognitive Development is very real.
When we hear of 'food insecurity' it is easy to assume it is about poorer countries. But food insecurity also refers populations "that lack sufficient quantity or quality of food to fuel a healthy and active lifestyle."
Here's a shocking stat:
In the United States, estimates show that a substantial number of children under age 5 live in households that are food insecure.
Findings from researchers at Georgetown University and the University of Virginia --published in the journal Child Development. They say that food insecurity during infant and toddler stages predict lower cognitive and social-emotional skills in kindergarten.
And as you could expect, this has a ling term impact later in a child's academic work, and life.
Read a more detailed summary of the study here.