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The Impact of Sweet Consumption on Academic Performance Among Medical Students in Palestine
Relationship between sweet consumption and academic performance
This study explored the relationship between sweet consumption and academic performance among medical university students in Palestine. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with full-time students selected via stratified sampling, resulting in a response rate of 62% (220 out of 355 invited students). Data were collected on self-reported GPA, frequency of sweet consumption, and various confounding factors, including demographics, BMI, parental education, income, breakfast consumption, physical activity, and mental health, assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The findings revealed that nearly half of the participants (48.2%) consumed sweets daily or more. A significant negative association was observed between frequent sweet consumption and GPA, both in crude (β = −0.15; 95% CI: −0.29, −0.01; p = 0.039) and fully adjusted models. Additionally, low physical activity (β = −0.22; p = 0.008) and abnormal mental health scores (β = −0.31; p = 0.004) were independently correlated with poorer academic performance. Therefore, the study concludes that frequent sweet intake is associated with reduced academic achievement among university students, suggesting that promoting healthy eating and mental well-being may enhance academic success in this demographic. [NPID: academic, sweets, sugar, performance, achievement]
Year: 2025
