Illinois Malnutrition and Sleep-Deprivation: Fact or Fiction?
Document Type
Presentation
Type
Information Motivating Public Activism (IMPACT)
UN Sustainable Development Goal
UNSDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being
Start Date
29-4-2026 1:50 PM
End Date
29-4-2026 2:05 PM
Abstract
At the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), academics have been an important part of the culture and community here. However, students tend to go overboard with this and end up without a stable work-life balance. The rigorous environment of IMSA may also lead to increased stress, irregular sleep schedules, and unhealthy eating habits. Sleep and nutrition are essential components of overall health and well-being. Since adolescents require sufficient sleep and balanced nutrition, these essential elements of IMSA students’ physical and mental growth are not to be overlooked. However, high academic workloads and time pressures may cause students to sacrifice sleep, skip meals, or rely on less nutritious food options. This study was conducted to determine whether these effects have been present throughout the IMSA community using short surveys and responses from the student body. We are proposing sending out short surveys about how people’s sleep schedules and eating schedules have changed since they came to IMSA. In addition, we will ask for short responses on how IMSA has affected their physical and mental well-being, such as their exercise habits, social health, and the time they use to relax and decompress. These responses can be used to help identify the main issues that harm IMSA students’ health, and we plan to share this data with IMSA administrators and the student council so that we can make an effective change in our community and positively impact the student body.
Illinois Malnutrition and Sleep-Deprivation: Fact or Fiction?
At the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), academics have been an important part of the culture and community here. However, students tend to go overboard with this and end up without a stable work-life balance. The rigorous environment of IMSA may also lead to increased stress, irregular sleep schedules, and unhealthy eating habits. Sleep and nutrition are essential components of overall health and well-being. Since adolescents require sufficient sleep and balanced nutrition, these essential elements of IMSA students’ physical and mental growth are not to be overlooked. However, high academic workloads and time pressures may cause students to sacrifice sleep, skip meals, or rely on less nutritious food options. This study was conducted to determine whether these effects have been present throughout the IMSA community using short surveys and responses from the student body. We are proposing sending out short surveys about how people’s sleep schedules and eating schedules have changed since they came to IMSA. In addition, we will ask for short responses on how IMSA has affected their physical and mental well-being, such as their exercise habits, social health, and the time they use to relax and decompress. These responses can be used to help identify the main issues that harm IMSA students’ health, and we plan to share this data with IMSA administrators and the student council so that we can make an effective change in our community and positively impact the student body.