The relationship of breakfast and snack foods with cognitive and academic performance and physical activity levels of adolescent students

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship of breakfast and snack consumption with academic and cognitive performance and physical activity (PA) status in adolescent students. In a cross-sectional study, 600 participants (age: 13.9±2.7 years; height: 161.1±2.6 cm; weight: 53.4±3.9 kg) in the first grade of high school were selected for the study. Demographic characteristics, breakfast and snack consumption were, respectively, collected by self-administered and 24-h calorie intake questionnaires. Academic and cognitive performance were, respectively, measured by the final exams scores and cognitive function questionnaire and PA status were measured using the international physical activity questionnaire. The results indicated that breakfast and snack meals had significant effects on cognitive functions (p<0.05) and physical activity level (p<0.05). The results also indicated that the breakfast meal had a significant effect on academic performance (p<0.05). However, the non-significant effect was found for snack meal (p=0.94). It was shown that breakfast and snack meals predict 79% of the cognitive performance, 77% of the academic performance and 70% of the PA levels. In conclusion, breakfast and snack consumption had a beneficial effect on students' cognitive functions, academic performance as well as PA levels.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic
• breakfast
• snack
• cognitive function
• physical activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.