Higher diet quality in university students is associated with higher academic achievement: a cross-sectional study

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]

Year: 2019

Reference: Whatnall, M. C., Patterson, A. J., Burrows, T. L., & Hutchesson, M. J. (2019). Higher diet quality in university students is associated with higher academic achievement: a cross-sectional study. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 32(3), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12632