Children who strive for excellence tend to be seen as those who make extra sacrifices, like getting less sleep or adopting poor eating habits, in a search for top grades.

 

But the new study of 4,000 British teenagers shows those who display determination, courage and persistence³ also tend to have healthier lifestyles.

 

The findings, from Harvard Graduate School of Education, showed "that children who exhibit grit are also likely to look after themselves, and cultivate healthy emotional regulation skills, rather than behaving in ways that are bad for their health".

 

Studies have shown the harmful effects stress over exams have on children's health. A survey by Kellogg's published last month found that children as young as 10 smoke cigarettes, eat sweets and use energy drinks to prepare for their exams.

 

Dr Christina Hinton, a faculty⁴ member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, said: "Our results suggest that grit does not require pushing yourself at all costs, but rather cultivating healthy emotional regulation skills and effective learning strategies."

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