This study aims to examine the effects of balancing n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in school lunch programs on cognitive development in high school students. The study will use an experimental design with random assignment of students to a control or experimental group. Students in the experimental group will receive balanced n-3:n-6 PUFA meals, and cognitive development will be assessed pre- and post-treatment using TAKS release tests and Wechsler IQ exams. The study hypothesizes that balancing PUFAs in school lunches will increase mental development in students.

1. Title of Study Goes Here
Bryant Sutton BS
EDUC 6033: Research Design and Analysis

2. Introduction
 Since Paleolithic times the Essential Fatty
Acids n-3 and n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
(PUFA) have been in a 1:1 balance. In the
past 150 years this ratio has been skewed to
as much as 1:20 n-3 to n-6. This imbalance
prevents the full potential of brain
development, therefore impeding the amount
and complexity of tasks our children are
capable of learning.

3. Study Purpose:
 The purpose of this study is to find
evidence that serving n-3:n-6 PUFA
balanced meals through school lunch
programs will stimulate cognitive
development.

4. Summary of Review of Literature
 It is known that balancing n-3:n-6 PUFA
increases cognitive development in infants
and toddlers, it reduces the loss of mental
ability in the elderly, and aids in the
recovery of brain trauma victims.
 There is no reliably collected data on if a
balanced n-3;n-6 PUFA diet benefits high
school aged children.

5. Hypothesis
 The balancing of n-3:n-6 PUFA in
school lunch programs will increase
mental development in high school age
students

6. Methodology: Design
• This is an experimentalminimizewith
random assignment to
design
validity
issues. There will be post-treatment
evaluations of TAKS release tests and
Wechsler IQ exams between control and
experimental groups.

7. Methodology: Sample and Setting
• The gender split is 47% Male and 53%
Female. The ethnic break down is 41%
White, 40% Hispanic, 14% Black, and
5% other. 63% of the students at the
school are considered high risk.
• Subjects will be provided free school
lunches in return for participation.
• Groups will be randomly assigned.

8. Methods: Ethical Considerations
• maintained by assigning students case
Confidentiality and anonymity will be
numbers.
• Institutional Review Board permission will
obtained through UHCL.
• Informed consent/ assent will be attained
during class registration and schedule pick up.
• Permission from the school board will be
obtained

9. Methodology: Instruments
 TAKS release tests will measure subject
mastery. TAKS tests have a reliability
coeffcient alpha of .87 - .90. The validity
ratings of the TAKS tests are p>.5.
 Wechsler IQ test are one of the best
measures of general intellectual
functioning available.

10. Methodology: Procedures
• To secure governmenttied to national financial
student growth will be
funding for the project
security.
• Taking the expense of food away from the
district and freeing up funds for instruction all
but guarantees district participation.
• Feeding participants free of charge should get
the required population involved.

11. Methodology: Data Analysis
 To illustrate the central tendency of the
subjects scores the mean of each groups
scores on their exams will compared.
 Post treatment scores on the TAKS release
and Wechsler IQ test of the control group and
experimental group will be compared.
 To compare the TAKS release scores since
there are multiple tests the ANOVA test will be
utilized. To compare Wechsler IQ test scores a
t-test is all that is needed.

12. Any Questions?
 An imbalance in n-3:n-6 PUFA in the diet
of high school age children is inhibiting
brain development.
 Balancing n-3:n-6 PUFA in school
provided meals will increase brain
development.