Is there an association between dietary intake and academic achievement: a systematic review

Burrows, Tracy; Goldman, Sharni; Pursey, Kirrilly; Lim, Rebecca

doi:10.1111/jhn.12407

Cited by 156 publications

(155 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Current diets are characterised by inadequate intakes of foods such as vegetables and whole grains, in combination with excess intakes of nutrient-poor food and drinks [1,2]. Poor diet quality is inversely associated with risk factors for chronic disease such as excess weight gain [3] as well as poorer child development outcomes [4,5]. Influencing the settings where children live, learn and play is needed to improve the quality of what children eat and drink to support optimal growth, health and development [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic evaluation of digital nutrition promotion websites and apps for supporting parents to influence children’s nutrition

Zarnowiecki

Mauch

Middleton

et al. 2020

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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Background: Globally children's diet quality is poor. Parents are primary gatekeepers to children's food intake; however, reaching and engaging parents in nutrition promotion can be challenging. With growth in internet and smartphone use, digital platforms provide potential to disseminate information rapidly to many people. The objectives of this review were to conduct a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of nutrition promotion via websites and apps supporting parents to influence children's nutrition, from three different perspectives: 1) current evidence base, 2) end user (parent) experience and 3) current commercial offerings. Methods: Three systematic reviews were undertaken of (1) studies evaluating the effectiveness for digital platforms for improving nutrition in children and parents, (2) studies conducting user-testing of digital tools with parents, (3) websites and apps providing lunch-provision information to parents. Searches were conducted in five databases for reviews one and two, and systematic search of Google and App Store for review three. Randomised controlled trials, cohort and cross-sectional and qualitative studies (study two only) were included if published in English, from 2013, with the intervention targeted at parents and at least 50% of intervention content focused on nutrition. Search results were double screened, with data extracted into standardised spreadsheets and quality appraisal of included search results. Results: Studies evaluating digital nutrition interventions targeting parents (n = 11) demonstrated effectiveness for improving nutrition outcomes, self-efficacy and knowledge. Six of the included randomised controlled trials reported digital interventions to be equal to, or better than comparison groups. User-testing studies (n = 9) identified that digital platforms should include both informative content and interactive features. Parents wanted evidence-based information from credible sources, practical tools, engaging content and connection with other users and health professionals. Websites targeting lunch provision (n = 15) were developed primarily by credible sources and included information-based content consistent with dietary guidelines and limited interactive features. Lunchbox apps (n = 6), developed mostly by commercial organisations, were more interactive but provided less credible information.(Continued on next page)

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic evaluation of digital nutrition promotion websites and apps for supporting parents to influence children’s nutrition

Zarnowiecki

Mauch

Middleton

et al. 2020

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…However, the quality of these studies was considered low, in particular with regard to the poor use of validated tools for accurately measuring dietary intake and a lack of appropriate adjustments for potential confounding factors in the analyses. Accurate assessment of dietary intake is essential to substantiate the link with academic achievement (7,8) ; for example, using validated dietary assessment tools and, ideally, a broad or holistic assessment of diet that goes beyond individual food groups or meal patterns. Furthermore, key factors that are known to influence diet or academic achievement need to be accounted for to more accurately assess this relationship, such as socio-economic status and gender (9,10) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Whatnall

Patterson

Burrows

et al. 2019

J Human Nutrition Diet

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Background Unhealthy diets are typical of university students and the effects may be wider reaching than health. The present study aimed to describe the association between dietary intake and academic achievement in a sample of Australian university students. Methods A cross‐sectional analysis of data from an online survey of 278 students from the University of Newcastle (UON), Australia [mean (SD) age 26.9 (10.5) years; 70.9% female] was conducted. Dietary intake, in terms of diet quality score [Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS)], including individual sub‐scales, and percentage energy per day from energy‐dense nutrient poor (EDNP) foods, including individual sub‐groups, was assessed using the validated Australian Eating Survey Food Frequency Questionnaire, and academic achievement was assessed as self‐reported grade point average (GPA). The association between GPA and dietary intake was explored using linear regression, with adjustment for socio‐demographic and student characteristics. Results Higher GPA was associated with higher diet quality (ARFS) (β = 0.02, P = 0.011), higher sub‐scale scores for vegetables (β = 0.03, P = 0.026) and fruit (β = 0.05, P = 0.029) and with lower percentage energy per day from EDNP foods overall (β = −0.01, P = 0.047) and also from sweetened drinks (β = −0.06, P < 0.001). Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrate small associations between a healthier dietary intake and higher academic achievement, as well as vice versa. Given that the associations were small, they may not be particularly meaningful. However, this evidence could be used as a motivator for efforts aiming to improve dietary intake among university students.

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“…Although numerous studies have approached the effects of short-term exposure to a WD on academic outcomes [19], very few have focused on foods consumed during snack times. We found that unhealthy snacking was correlated with lower high school GPA and rate of graduation, as well as a reduced likelihood of taking college admission exams.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, the majority of interventions that emphasize the relationship between diet type and cognition and academics have been designed for infants and young children [6,19,52], who are less independent in their food choices. For health promotion purposes, unhealthy dietary habits during adolescence are usually said to be related to early onset of cardiometabolic disorders, including high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, while arguments based on the potential cognitive impact of diet are still lacking.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, mostly conducted in developed countries, have examined the relationship between diet and school grades [13,14,15], as well as the relationship between diet and performance on standardized academic tests [16,17,18]. Results collectively suggest that better educational outcomes are associated with regular consumption of nutritious breakfasts, lower intake of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, and maintaining a healthy diet [19]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Snacking Quality Is Associated with Secondary School Academic Achievement and the Intention to Enroll in Higher Education: A Cross-Sectional Study in Adolescents from Santiago, Chile

et al. 2017

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Although numerous studies have approached the effects of exposure to a Western diet (WD) on academic outcomes, very few have focused on foods consumed during snack times. We explored whether there is a link between nutritious snacking habits and academic achievement in high school (HS) students from Santiago, Chile. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 678 adolescents. The nutritional quality of snacks consumed by 16-year-old was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The academic outcomes measured were HS grade point average (GPA), the likelihood of HS completion, and the likelihood of taking college entrance exams. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent associations of nutritious snacking with having completed HS and having taken college entrance exams. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) estimated the differences in GPA by the quality of snacks. Compared to students with healthy in-home snacking behaviors, adolescents having unhealthy in-home snacks had significantly lower GPAs (M difference: −40.1 points, 95% confidence interval (CI): −59.2, −16.9, d = 0.41), significantly lower odds of HS completion (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25–0.88), and significantly lower odds of taking college entrance exams (aOR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.31–0.88). Unhealthy at-school snacking showed similar associations with the outcome variables. Poor nutritional quality snacking at school and at home was associated with poor secondary school academic achievement and the intention to enroll in higher education.

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Is there an association between dietary intake and academic achievement: a systematic review

Cited by 156 publications

References 47 publications

A systematic evaluation of digital nutrition promotion websites and apps for supporting parents to influence children’s nutrition

A systematic evaluation of digital nutrition promotion websites and apps for supporting parents to influence children’s nutrition

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

Snacking Quality Is Associated with Secondary School Academic Achievement and the Intention to Enroll in Higher Education: A Cross-Sectional Study in Adolescents from Santiago, Chile

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