Impact of self-rationing on academic performance of college students

Abstract

Objective

Self-rationing or one’s ability to regulate allocation of resources for consumption can be an inefficient process. Despite the negative impact of self-rationing inefficiencies (eg unhealthy food choices), there is scarce research to understand this phenomenon. This study investigated college students’ self-rationing efficiency of eating behavior and spending choices, and their relationship to academic performance.

Participants and Methods

This study used a combination of a real-time experiment, self-reported surveys (n = 101), and interviews with college students (n = 12). Data was collected using two 24-hour recall periods, online surveys, and semi-structured interviews.

Results

College students demonstrated self-rationing inefficiency of eating behavior, but not of expenditure on food. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between self-rationing inefficiencies in eating behavior and students’ academic performance.

Conclusions

This study directly investigated self-rationing efficiency amongst college students’ food choices and food expenditure, and enhances our understanding of its impact on college students’ academic performance.

Keywords:

• Academic performance
• eating behavior
• food expenditure
• real-time experiment
• self-rationing

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 of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Penn State University.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.