Diet and performance

This study (2019) assessing the association between dietary intake and academic achievement among Australian university students conducted online surveys to determine diet quality (through the validated Australian Eating Survey Food Frequency Questionnaire) and academic achievement (as self-reported grade point average[GPA]) and explored their relationship using linear regression while adjusting for socio-demographic and student characteristics. Among the sample population (278 students from University of Newcastle, Australia; mean age 26.9; 70.9% female) a positive correlation was found between GPA and diet quality [in terms of Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS)], in addition to statistically significant associations between higher subscale scores for vegetables and fruits with lower percentage energy daily from energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods overall and also from sweetened drinks. Whatnall et. al note that although the associations between a healthier dietary consumption with greater academic accomplishment, and the vice-versa, are small it can provide students with more motivation to better their dietary habits. [NPID: performance, academic achievement, students, Australia, diet quality, grade point average, GPA, fruits, vegetables, FV intake, accomplishment]

Although evidence associates scholastic performance with quality of eating habits, information on this topic is limited in Turkey, which is why Kristo and her group (2020) conducted this study involving students aged 14-17 from 29 different cities in Turkey to evaluate the impact of eating habits quality of high-school students in Turkey on the Scholastic Aptitude Standardised Examination (TEOG) scores. A dietary habits survey was developed, validated and distributed online, Eating Habits Score (EHS) was calculated using a validated scoring system, and Family Affluence Score (FAS) was used to categorise the students by financial standing (low, medium, high). Based on the data of 298 participants, a significant positive correlation was identified between EHS, FAS, and success rate of the students (as indicated by TEOG scores). The researchers state the need for more research in this subject, especially observational studies, to determine appropriate strategies and policies aimed at improving nutritional habit, scholastic performance and general health. [NPID: performance, Turkey, scholastic performance, financial standing, eating habits, students, academic achievement, academics]

Although there is evidence that a healthy diet and being regularly physically active are related with multiple health benefits, there is limited information on the academic and cognitive implications of these behaviors within adolescents, which is the reason Chacon-Cuberos et. al (2018) conducted this cross-sectional study involving 1059 adolescents from Spain. The main instruments employed were the Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Test (KIDMED), the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and the Motivation and Learning Strategies Short Form (MSLQ-SF). There was a correlation between practising physical activity for >3 hours a week with better dietary habits (p<0.001) such as higher consumption of fish, vegetables, cereals, and nuts. Practising physical activity every week was related to improvements in several of the measured variables and to lower levels of anxiety within the academic environment (p<0.05). The team also discovered adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) was positively associated with elaboration and organisational strategies, critical thinking, self-regulation, time and study habits, self-regulation of effort, and intrinsically oriented goals (all p-values <0.01). Given the benefits of eating habits and the practice of PA in the cognitive processes involved in adolescent learning as shown by this study, intervention programs aimed at enhancing healthy habits are recommended. [NPID: performance, physical activity, Med diet, Mediterranean diet, anxiety, self-regulation]

Burrows and colleagues (2017) combed through seven databases to provide a systematic review of the current literature on the effects of dietary intake and behaviors on the academic achievement of school-aged children. Of the forty studies included, 33 were of cross-sectional design and involved children over the age of 10, with very few reports of younger age groups. In addition, 30 different dietary assessments were used across the studies, with only 40% using a validated or standardised assessment method. With regards to outcomes of academic achievement, half was collected objectively from a recognised educational authority, whereas 10 studies used self-reported measures. The dietary outcomes most commonly reported to have positive associations with academic achievement were: breakfast consumption (n = 12) and global diet quality/meal patterns (n = 7), whereas negative associations reported with junk/fast food (n = 9). Looking at the current literature, the reviewers conclude that moderate associations exist for dietary intakes characterised by regular breakfast consumption, lower intake of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and overall diet quality with respect to outcomes of academic achievement, and that utilisation of validated dietary assessment methods and standardised reporting of academic achievement should be considered by future studies. [NPID: performance, academic achievement, scholastic performance, school-ages children, breakfast, meal patterns, junk food, diet quality]

Since adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) may enhance academic performance, quality of life as well as mental and physical health in university students, this 2020 review aimed to critically analyse the current evidence with respect to epidemiology (study of distribution and determinants) of MD adherence in university students by comprehensively searching through the PubMed database. Students’ dietary habits are moving away from MD guidelines and more towards unhealthy eating patterns especially in those who live away from home and even those students with a Mediterranean country origin. There are many studies that have documented the association between lower MD adherence and poorer health status, and beneficial effects of higher adherence to MD, which correlates with lower depression risk. The majority of students, even from medical and nutritional university departments, showed a lack of knowledge on healthy eating habits, plus even when students had access to information and knowledge provided by courses and lectures compliance to MD did not increase. Antonopoulou and co. (2020) point out the importance of redirecting research focus on this topic, in order to contribute to improvements in diet, quality of life, mental and physical health of students. [NPID: performance, academic achievement, scholastic performance, academic performance, quality of life, university students, college, Med diet, Mediterranean diet]

This 2019 thematic review aimed to provide an overview of the current knowledge of the connection between the lifestyle factors diet, physical activity and sleep hygiene with cognition and learning in children. There are cells or animal research available which suggest a number of possible physiological pathways, however, there was a significant gap in knowledge on lifestyle factors and optimal learning in children. Jirout et. al (2019) highlight that current knowledge on predictors of optimal cognition and learning is incomplete, and likely lacks understanding of many critical facts and relationships, their interactions, and the nature of their relationships, such as there being mediating or confounding factors that could provide important knowledge to increase the efficacy of learning-focused interventions. While there is focus on childcare and school feeding policies, this review aims to call attention to how child development could be supported using a more holistic approach. [NPID: performance, academic achievement, physical activity, sleep hygiene, learning, sleep, childcare, school feeding policies, child development]

Dietary changes and its psychosocial moderators during the university examination period

Dietary habits are associated with school performance in adolescents

Dietary patterns and school performance: evidence from a sample of adolescents in Sicily, Italy

The apples of academic performance: associations between dietary patterns and academic performance in Australian children

The influence of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on academic performance is mediated by sleep quality in adolescents

Evaluating Mediterranean diet adherence in university student populations: Does this dietary pattern affect students' academic performance and mental health?

Impact of physical activity practice and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in relation to multiple intelligences among university students