Running on Empty 4
The relatively sparse research on food deprivation has left room for
further research. First, much of the research has focused either on chronic
starvation at one end of the continuum or on missing a single meal at the
other end (Green et al., 1995). Second, some of the findings have been
contradictory. One study found that skipping breakfast impairs certain
aspects of cognition, such as problem-solving abilities (Pollitt, Lewis,
Garza, & Shulman, 1983). However, other research by M. W. Green, N.
A. Elliman, and P. J. Rogers (1995, 1997) has found that food deprivation
ranging from missing a single meal to 24 hours without eating does not
significantly impair cognition. Third, not all groups of people have been
sufficiently studied. Studies have been done on 9–11 year-olds (Pollitt et
al., 1983), obese subjects (Crumpton, Wine, & Drenick, 1966), college-age
men and women (Green et al., 1995, 1996, 1997), and middle-age males
(Kollar et al., 1964). Fourth, not all cognitive aspects have been studied.
In 1995 Green, Elliman, and Rogers studied sustained attention, simple
reaction time, and immediate memory; in 1996 they studied attentional
bias; and in 1997 they studied simple reaction time, two-finger tapping,
recognition memory, and free recall. In 1983, another study focused on
reaction time and accuracy, intelligence quotient, and problem solving
(Pollitt et al.).
According to some researchers, most of the results so far indicate that
cognitive function is not affected significantly by short-term fasting (Green
et al., 1995, p. 246). However, this conclusion seems premature due to the
relative lack of research on cognitive functions such as concentration and
perseverance. To date, no study has tested perseverance, despite its
importance in cognitive functioning. In fact, perseverance may be a better
indicator than achievement tests in assessing growth in learning and
thinking abilities, as perseverance helps in solving complex problems
(Costa, 1984). Another study also recognized that perseverance, better
learning techniques, and effort are cognitions worth studying (D’Agostino,
1996). Testing as many aspects of cognition as possible is key because the
nature of the task is important when interpreting the link between food
deprivation and cognitive performance (Smith & Kendrick, 1992).
Clear
transitions
guide readers
through the
researchers’
reasoning.
The
researchers
explain how
their study
will add to
past research
on the topic.
The
researchers
support their
decision to
focus on
concentration
and
perseverance.