The influence of eating habits on the academic performance of university students

Abstract

Objective

To explore the correlation between eating habits of university students and academic achievement.

Participants

577 undergraduate students at a university in the United States.

Methods

Students were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey that asked questions concerning health-related behaviors; participants were asked to report their current grade point average (GPA). Statistical analyses were performed using the JMP software program; a standard least squares regression was used to test whether self-reported current GPA was related to different types and rates of weekly food and drink consumption.

Results

Self-reported GPA did not change along with weekly rates of milk, vegetables, green salad, fruit juice, or fresh fruit consumption. Breakfast consumption had a positive effect on self-reported GPA, while fast food consumption had a negative effect.

Conclusion

Healthy eating habits have a positive effect on students’ academic performance. However, other factors, such as sleep habits, may be more important.

Keywords:

• Academic achievement
• breakfast
• college students
• fast food consumption
• grade point average
• healthy eating

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Kim E. Reuter, PhD, for support with the statistical analysis of the data, and for her valued insights and contributions to the project. Many thanks to FGCU faculty who supported our research by signing Letters of Cooperation that allowed us to invite their students to participate in our survey. We also thank Arianna Turello and Alexandra Smith for their support in designing the survey. The authors are indebted to the Florida Gulf Coast University IRB and the Marieb College of Health & Human Services, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, faculty.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Florida Gulf Coast University.

Additional information

Funding

They did not receive funding for this study and have full control of all primary data.