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 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0141-8211 1465-3435 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/ejed.70582 |
