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Back to Basics: Increasing Tiredness and Hunger in Nordic Classrooms and Their Links to Disorderly Behaviour and Academic Achievement

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Title: Back to Basics: Increasing Tiredness and Hunger in Nordic Classrooms and Their Links to Disorderly Behaviour and Academic Achievement
Language: English
Authors: Anders Astrup Christensen (ORCID 0000-0002-2184-876X), Shiri Lavy (ORCID 0000-0002-3974-8329), Jacob Højgaard Christensen (ORCID 0000-0002-9835-4522)
Source: European Journal of Education. 2026 61(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Grade 4
Intermediate Grades
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Elementary School Students, Grade 4, Sleep, Hunger, Incidence, Student Behavior, Behavior Problems, Reading Achievement, Mathematics Achievement, Science Achievement, Nutrition, Well Being, Classroom Environment, Achievement Tests, International Assessment, Reading Tests, Mathematics Tests, Elementary Secondary Education, Science Tests
Geographic Terms: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
DOI: 10.1111/ejed.70582
ISSN: 0141-8211
1465-3435
Abstract: This study examines trends in self-reported tiredness and hunger among 4th grade students in the Nordic countries between 2016 and 2023, using data from PIRLS and TIMSS. Results show a significant increase in the proportion of students who frequently arrive at school feeling tired or hungry, with tiredness reported by 38%-52% of students and hunger by 27%-30% in 2023. Multilevel analyses reveal that students who are often tired/hungry report significantly higher levels of disorderly behaviour than classroom peers in all cases. In most cases, we also find that the average levels of disorderly behaviour are higher in classrooms with higher proportions of students facing these challenges. Furthermore, tiredness and hunger are negatively related to achievement in reading, mathematics, and science. These findings underscore the importance of addressing basic needs such as sleep and nutrition--not only for individual well-being and achievement, but for maintaining a supportive classroom environment.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://timssandpirls.bc.edu/databases-landing.html
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507315
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Back to Basics: Increasing Tiredness and Hunger in Nordic Classrooms and Their Links to Disorderly Behaviour and Academic Achievement
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anders+Astrup+Christensen%22">Anders Astrup Christensen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2184-876X">0000-0002-2184-876X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shiri+Lavy%22">Shiri Lavy</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3974-8329">0000-0002-3974-8329</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jacob+Højgaard+Christensen%22">Jacob Højgaard Christensen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9835-4522">0000-0002-9835-4522</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+Education%22"><i>European Journal of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(2).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Denmark%22">Denmark</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sweden%22">Sweden</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Norway%22">Norway</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Finland%22">Finland</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Iceland%22">Iceland</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/ejed.70582
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  Data: 0141-8211<br />1465-3435
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  Data: This study examines trends in self-reported tiredness and hunger among 4th grade students in the Nordic countries between 2016 and 2023, using data from PIRLS and TIMSS. Results show a significant increase in the proportion of students who frequently arrive at school feeling tired or hungry, with tiredness reported by 38%-52% of students and hunger by 27%-30% in 2023. Multilevel analyses reveal that students who are often tired/hungry report significantly higher levels of disorderly behaviour than classroom peers in all cases. In most cases, we also find that the average levels of disorderly behaviour are higher in classrooms with higher proportions of students facing these challenges. Furthermore, tiredness and hunger are negatively related to achievement in reading, mathematics, and science. These findings underscore the importance of addressing basic needs such as sleep and nutrition--not only for individual well-being and achievement, but for maintaining a supportive classroom environment.
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        Value: 10.1111/ejed.70582
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 15
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Hunger
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