Nutritional quality of diet and academic performance in Chilean students

Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Effect of Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Factors on Medical Students' Academic Achievement

BACKGROUND

Unhealthy dietary habits, decreased physical activity, poor sleep quality, and increasing levels of stress and burnout have all been identified as major concerns of medical students. Due to the rigorous environment of medical school, maintaining a well-balanced and nutritious diet is often replaced by more convenient and nutrient-poor options. Improper dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle both play an essential role in the development of type II diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. These unhealthy trends commonly stem from the innate drive for medical students to achieve at the highest level, sacrificing healthy lifestyle choices to maximize studying. Unfortunately, this dynamic creates a paradox where students create an unhealthy lifestyle to increase academic achievement; however, these destructive living conditions lead to a diminished sense of well-being. As a result, greater rates of burnout, comorbidities, and other maladaptive tendencies diminish success in school.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of lifestyle habits such as nutrition, physical activity (PA), and stress on academic performance (grade point average: GPA) among first- and second-year students at Nova Southeastern University, Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students (n = 161) under institutional review board (IRB) approval. The students voluntarily completed a self-reported survey containing questions about diet, exercise (frequency and type), stress, and self-reported GPA. About 800 students were invited to complete the survey between June 15, 2022, and June 28, 2022. A simple lifestyle indicator questionnaire (SLIQ) score was determined for each student based on their diet, PA, and stress responses.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant positive correlation between SLIQ score and high academic achievement. A significant positive association was found between the low academic-achieving (LAA)(2.00-2.99 GPA) vs the high (3.60-4.00 GPA) academic-achieving (HAA) cohorts for physical activity (p = 0.012) as well as diet (p = 0.043). Further, the HAA cohort reported higher satisfaction with their mental and physical health (74% and 54%, respectively) as compared to the LAA cohort (29% each).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated positive correlations between diet and physical activity with high academic achievement. The HAA cohort recorded the highest rates of fruit/vegetable and home-cooked meal consumption and the greatest participation in light, moderate, and heavy exercise when compared to the middle academic-achieving (MAA) (3.00-3.59 GPA) and LAA cohorts. Interestingly, the HAA students also recorded the highest rates of satisfaction with their mental and physical health. As a result, there is a need to promote healthier lifestyle trends among medical students with a focus on diet and physical activity.

Physical Activity, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Body Dissatisfaction in Physical Education of Extremadura Adolescents: An Exploratory Study

In recent years, physical activity levels among youths have declined significantly. This has led to a decline in adherence to physical activity recommendations. In this sense, physical education offers an ideal environment that contributes positively to improving adherence to physical activity recommendations, as it teaches students movement-related skills and knowledge. The objective of the present research was to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels, body composition, fitness in Physical Education, and body dissatisfaction levels, and to analyse sex differences in relation to the study variables. The sample was formed of 1166 participants from the 1st and 2nd secondary compulsory education, of which 642 were boys (age 13.16 ± 0.91), and 524 girls (age 13.08 ± 0.85). The measure of physical activity was the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Body composition was assessed using weight and height to calculate their body mass index. Cardiorespiratory capacity was assessed using the Course-Navette test in Physical Education lessons. The results showed the relationship between physical activity and body mass index, cardiorespiratory capacity, and body satisfaction. It was also confirmed that higher levels of physical activity were associated with a lower body mass index, improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, and lower levels of body dissatisfaction to a greater extent in boys than in girls. The study concludes that improvements in the study variables were associated with increased physical activity. In addition, it seems necessary to promote healthy lifestyles in physical education lessons, especially during adolescence, as they could serve as a gateway for the improvement of health-related fitness in future generations. Increasing the amount of physical activity among young people is vital. Therefore, it would be essential to develop intervention programs in physical education classes, especially during adolescence, aimed at promoting and increasing physical activity and its benefits.

Exploring the effects of health behaviors and mental health on students' academic achievement: a cross-sectional study on lebanese university students

BACKGROUND

High academic achievement, an important determinant of future success, is known to be influenced by many factors including dietary behavior, lifestyle and mental health, among others. The objectives of the current study were to explore university students' nutritive habits, daily lifestyle, and mental status, and to scrutinize the associations between these factors and students' academic achievement.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of a private Lebanese university, using an electronic survey. Diet, eating habits, physical activity, sleep, and smoking were evaluated, and mental health was assessed using a validated Arabic version of the combined Depression, Anxiety, Stress Score (DASS-8). Academic achievement was measured using the Subjective Academic Achievement Scale (SAAS).

RESULTS

A total of 1677 students participated in the questionnaire. The results of a linear regression taking the SAAS score as the dependent variable, showed that students who have a non-scientific versus scientific major (Beta = 0.53), and having breakfast ≥ 4 days per week compared to less than 2 days (Beta = 0.28) were significantly associated with higher SAAS scores. More psychological distress (Beta = - 0.06) and a higher number of days of eating out (Beta = - 0.07) were significantly associated with lower SAAS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first investigation on a Lebanese university students' academic success in relation to lifestyle and mental profiles. Better academic achievement was demonstrated by students having healthier dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as less distressing mental status. Such results, in light of the compounded and unprecedented crises with which Lebanon has been assailed, suggest the need to focus on promoting healthy habits among students in higher education as a possible driver of better academic success.

Longitudinal weight and body-composition changes in polish undergraduate students of health faculty

Objective: The study investigates the changes in body composition, dietary intake and physical activity of Polish health faculty undergraduates. Methods: 340 university students were measured at the beginning their studies. Subsequent measurements were performed at the beginning of the following academic years. In total, 82 men and 87 women were included in the analysis. The measurements included anthropometric parameters and the amount of consumed nutrients. Using Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire measured students' physical activity. Results: Across three years at university 65.1% of students showed an increase in body mass. Men displayed an increase in body weight (1.6 kg) and waist circumference (4.1 cm). Women's weight changed insignificantly. Participants' energy intake increased statistically significantly after the 1st year and decreased after the 2nd year. In men there was observed decline in energy expenditure between the 1st and 2nd year. Conclusion: Transitory unfavorable changes were observed in students' nutrition and physical activity.

Predictors of Academic Performance in High School Students: The Longitudinal ASAP Study

Academic performance is influenced by multitude factors. However, little is known about their relative importance and how they evolve over time. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relative importance of cognitive control, physical, psychological and sociological factors as well as lifestyle habits in predicting academic performance in high school students using cross sectional and longitudinal approaches. One hundred and eighty-five grade seventh to ninth students (mean age: 13.1 ± 1.0 years old) from a single high school completed a 3-year prospective study. Academic performance, cognitive control, physical, psychological and sociological factors as well as lifestyle habits were assessed every year during the 3-year study. Results showed that different combinations of factors were found to predict academic performance measures in both male and female students at baseline and after a 3-year period. For example, in female students, screen time and VO₂ max were found to be important predictors of academic performance, whereas working memory was the only recurring factor in predicting academic performance in male students. Moreover, our models were able to explain between 6.1 to 52.2% of the variation in the change of the different measures of academic performance. Results of the present study show that academic performance may be predicted by a wide range of multiple factors in high school students. Indeed, the factors that predicted academic performance varied between school subjects, sex and study design, highlighting the complexity of predicting academic performance in high school students.

Aerobic Fitness, B-Vitamins, and Weight Status Are Related to Selective Attention in Children

There is an increasing prevalence of poor health behaviors during childhood, particularly in terms of physical activity and nutrition. This trend has occurred alongside a growing body of evidence linking these behaviors to cognitive function. B-vitamins are thought to be particularly important in the neural development that occurs during pregnancy, as well as in healthy cognitive aging. However, much less is known regarding the role of B-vitamins during childhood. Given that preadolescent childhood is a critical period for cognitive development, this study investigated the relationship between specific aspects of nutrition, particularly B-vitamins, and related health factors (e.g., body mass, fitness) on selective attention in children. Children (n = 85; 8-11 years) completed a selective attention task to assess inhibition. Participant's dietary intake was collected using the Automated Self-Administered 24-h dietary assessment tool. Correlations between specific nutrients, BMI, fitness, and task performance were investigated. After accounting for demographic variables and total caloric intake, increased B-vitamin intake (i.e., thiamin and folic acid) was associated with shorter reaction times (p's < 0.05), fitness was associated with greater response accuracy (p < 0.05), and increased BMI was related to increased variability in reaction times (p < 0.05). Together, these findings suggest that aspects of health may have unique contributions on cognitive performance. Proper physical health and nutrition are imperative for effective cognitive functioning in preadolescent children. Targeted efforts aimed at health education amongst this population could ensure proper cognitive development during school-age years, providing a strong foundation throughout life.

Nutrition across the curriculum: a scoping review exploring the integration of nutrition education within primary schools

Primary schools contribute to promoting healthy eating behaviour and preventing overweight and obesity by providing nutrition education. Research highlights the importance of improving teachers' programme implementation to enhance intervention effectiveness. An integrative approach has been suggested to reduce time barriers that teachers currently experience in teaching nutrition. This scoping review explores use and effectiveness of integrative teaching in primary-school-based nutrition education programmes. Six databases were searched for primary-school-based interventions on nutrition education. Papers reporting on integration of nutrition topics within core curriculum were included. Abstracts and full texts of potentially relevant articles were screened to determine eligibility. Next, data were extracted and tabulated. Findings were collated and summarised to describe intervention characteristics, subject integration and effectiveness of the included programmes. Data describing integration of nutrition into the primary school curriculum were extracted from 39 eligible papers. Nutrition education programmes often involve lessons about food groups and are frequently embedded within the mathematics, science or literacy syllabus. Although articles report on the integration of nutrition, the use of this approach was not commonly described in detail. Only seven papers discussed student outcomes related to the integration of nutrition education within core subjects. The ability to draw strong conclusions about school-based nutrition intervention effectiveness is limited by the current lack of programme description and methodological issues. Hence, more research is warranted to inform evidence on effectiveness of integrative nutrition education for both teacher and student outcomes. Future studies that include greater detail regarding the integrative approach are needed.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and academic performance in adolescents: Does BMI status moderate this association?

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical period for neurodevelopment, it is characterised by the establishment of behavioural patterns that can affect children's physical, mental and cognitive health, both immediately and later in life.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present research was to examine the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeD) and academic performance, as well as to analyze the moderating role of body mass index (BMI) status in this relationship.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study had a total 1290 adolescents (13.07 ± 0.82 years old, 714 boys and 576 girls) aged 12-14 years were included in this study. Adherence to the MeD was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index. Academic performance was assessed through school records using four subjects: language, mathematics, English and grade point average (GPA).

RESULTS

Results showed a positive association between adherence to the MeD and all academic indicators after adjusting for potential confounders (β ranging from 0.165 to 0.213, all p < 0.001). The group of good adherence to the MeD had significantly higher scores in all the academic indicators compared with the poor/average group (p < 0.01). No interaction was found between BMI status and adherence to MeD in relation to academic indicators (all p > 0.340). These differences remained significant for both normal weight and overweight/obesity groups (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that adherence to the MeD may be positively associated academic performance on adolescents regardless, of BMI status.

Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

Nutrition education programs in schools have been effective in improving children’s knowledge and behaviours related to food and nutrition. However, teachers find it challenging to implement such programs due to overcrowded curricula. Integrating nutrition with core subjects such as mathematics could potentially address time constraints and improve the learning of both. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the impact of a cross-curricular nutrition and mathematics program on primary school students’ portion size estimation skills. Secondary aims include impact on their nutrition knowledge, attitudes towards mathematics and evaluating the quality of the lessons.

Methods

Twelve Year 3–4 classes from Catholic schools in New South Wales, Australia will be randomised to intervention (n = 6) or control (n = 6) groups. Teachers in the intervention group will receive a professional development workshop and resources to teach 4–5 lessons on portion size and measurements across 1–4 weeks. Outcome measures include portion size estimation skills, nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards mathematics, with data collected during three school visits (pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, 4 weeks post-intervention). Additionally, teaching quality will be assessed in both intervention and control groups and process evaluation undertaken using teacher interviews and student focus groups.

Discussion

This RCT uses an innovative approach to improve both nutrition and mathematics related learning outcomes among primary school children. It has the potential to impact teaching practices regarding integration of nutrition into curricula and enhance the implementation of nutrition education interventions.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12619001071112 31/07/2019.

Demographic, nutritional, social and environmental predictors of learning skills and depression in 20,000 Indian adolescents: Findings from the UDAYA survey

OBJECTIVES

Adolescent wellbeing is critical to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and one in five of the world's adolescents live in India. We explored predictors of learning skills and depression in Indian adolescents.

METHODS

Data on adolescents aged 10-19y (three groups: 5,840 unmarried males, 8,953 unmarried females, 4,933 married females) were available from the state-representative Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults survey in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for cluster sampling design and state fixed effects were used to examine factors (demographic, health/nutrition, social, and environmental) associated with three outcomes: reading proficiency, math proficiency, and depressive symptoms.

FINDINGS

Learning skills were poor (28-61% lacked basic reading and math skills depending on adolescent group and outcome) and depression was common (8-26%). Better learning skills were predicted by greater household wealth (AOR 1.72-2.55 depending on group) and household head education (AOR 1.03-1.07 per year), being in school (AOR 4.19-18.65), parental support (AOR 1.11-1.39), having gender equal attitudes (AOR 1.56-2.67), number of food groups consumed at least weekly (unmarried females: AOR 1.11), and having an improved latrine (AOR 1.33-1.51). Poorer learning skills were predicted by family substance use (AOR 0.68-0.74), underweight (males: AOR 0.74), witnessing parental violence (AOR 0.66-0.78). Depressive symptoms were predicted by witnessing parental violence (AOR 1.51-1.92) and experiencing sexual abuse (AOR 2.30-6.16).

CONCLUSION

Factors across multiple life dimensions are associated with learning skills and depression in Indian adolescents. Adolescent-focused policies and programs should consider health/nutrition, social, and environmental aspects of life in vulnerable individuals.

Is Academic Achievement Related to Mediterranean Diet, Substance Use and Social-Cognitive Factors: Findings from Lebanese Adolescents

There is substantial evidence that good academic performance significantly enhances the prospects of success for adolescents in terms of employment, social status, quality of life and health. Identifying which factors are correlated to good academic achievement and which factors may need to be addressed by policies is crucial. Despite its importance, there is insufficient data concerning factors associated with academic achievement in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon. This study assessed the association of lifestyle, socio-demographics and motivational factors with academic achievement of Lebanese adolescents. Grade 10 and 11 Lebanese adolescents aged 15 to 18 years (n = 600), from private and public schools in Beirut and the Mount Lebanon area, completed a multi-component questionnaire assessing health behaviors, socio-demographic characteristics and motivational factors. Height and weight were physically measured and, subsequently, Body Mass Index was calculated. Academic achievement was assessed using self-reported grades and was categorized into high and low. Associations between all factors and academic achievement were tested using logistic regression models. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, high self-efficacy and intention were positively associated with academic achievement, whereas smoking was associated with poor achievement. Our findings support the need for targeting adolescents with an unhealthier lifestyle and focusing on socio-cognitive determinants interventions aimed at enhancing academic achievement.

Nutrition Education in the Australian New South Wales Primary School Curriculum: Knowledge and Attitudes of Students and Parents

In NSW, Australia, the views of primary-school aged children and their parents in regard to the importance of nutrition education at school are unclear. The aim of the current study was to explore children’s knowledge of nutrition and eating habits and to identify gaps that future school nutrition education programs could target. Students aged 9 to 12 years and their parents (n = 21 dyads) were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews, complete a nutrition knowledge questionnaire, and perform a “healthy-unhealthy” food sorting task in a University food laboratory. Among the children, nutrition knowledge scores concerning “serves & portions” of common foods were lowest, identifying a gap in knowledge related to portion size. All children categorized fruits, vegetables, cola, and water correctly as “healthy” or “unhealthy” in the sorting task, but not for the sausage and muesli bar, suggesting that further support categorising processed foods may be needed. The interviews indicated that parents do actively try to teach their children about nutrition, although they reported feeling uncertain about their own level of nutrition knowledge. Children and parents indicated that there is very little nutrition education in school and more is needed. This research could be used to inform future curriculum components related to nutrition education for primary school children.

Lifestyle Habits Predict Academic Performance in High School Students: The Adolescent Student Academic Performance Longitudinal Study (ASAP)

This study aimed to determine if lifestyle habits could predict changes in cognitive control and academic performance in high school students using a longitudinal approach. One hundred and eighty-seven grade seventh to ninth students (mean age: 13.1 ± 1.0 years old) completed a 3-year prospective study. Lifestyle habits, cognitive control, and academic performance were assessed every year during the 3-year study. Results show that in female students, screen time measures were negatively correlated with academic performance and cognitive control. Furthermore, changes (Δs) in sleeping habits were associated with Δs in academic performance in both genders, whereas Δs in eating habits and in studying time were correlated with Δs in academic performance only in male students. Moreover, in female students, screen time, social media use, and eating habits measures seem to predict the variance in the Δs of cognitive control measures (r² between 8.2% and 21.0%), whereas, in male students, studying time, eating, and sleeping habits appear to explain the variance in the Δs of academic performance measures (r² between 5.9% and 24.8%). In conclusion, results of the present study indicate that lifestyle habits were able to predict Δs in cognitive control and academic performance of high school students during a 3-year period.

Scholastic Performance, Test Anxiety, Dietary Intakes and their Interrelationship in Urban and Rural Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of test anxiety, scholastic performance and dietary intake in urban and rural adolescents.

METHODS

Anthropometry, test anxiety (TA) demographic questionnaire, 24-h diet recall and scholastic performance (SP) from school records as well as by administering multiple choice questions (MCQ) to related subjects were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (V.21). Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess associations between variables.

RESULTS

Mean TA score for urban vs. rural adolescents was similar (58 ± 12 urban boys vs. 58 ± 12 rural boys, p > 0.1 and 57 ± 11 urban girls vs. 55 ± 12 rural girls, p > 0.1). Urban boys and girls scored significantly higher marks in MCQs conducted in the study period (69%, 80% respectively) as compared to rural boys and girls (41%, 29% respectively) (p > 0.05). TA levels only of urban children were significantly negatively associated with scholastic performance (Spearman's coefficient ρ = - 0.217, p = 0.002 for final year marks and Spearman's coefficient ρ = - 0.247, p < 0.001 for MCQs). TA was positively associated with junk food intake among urban children (r = 0.127, p < 0.1). Also, junk food intake of children was negatively associated with their SP (r = -0.125, p = 0.012). Regression analysis (Generalised linear model) indicated TA and junk food intake negatively affected SP (β = -0.299, p = 0.001 and β = -0.13, p = 0.04 respectively) among urban children. Rural children showed no association of SP with TA or junk food intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Test anxiety, scholastic performance and junk food consumption are interrelated. Creating nutritional awareness among these populations is crucial.

Study protocol and rationale of the "Cogni-action project" a cross-sectional and randomized controlled trial about physical activity, brain health, cognition, and educational achievement in schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

Education and health are crucial topics for public policies as both largely determine the future wellbeing of the society. Currently, several studies recognize that physical activity (PA) benefits brain health in children. However, most of these studies have not been carried out in developing countries or lack the transference into the education field. The Cogni-Action Project is divided into two stages, a cross-sectional study and a crossover-randomized trial. The aim of the first part is to establish the associations of PA, sedentarism, and physical fitness with brain structure and function, cognitive performance and academic achievement in Chilean schoolchildren (10-13 years-old). The aim of the second part is to determinate the acute effects of three PA protocols on neuroelectric indices during a working memory and a reading task.

METHODS

PA and sedentarism will be self-reported and objectively-assessed with accelerometers in a representative subsample, whilst physical fitness will be evaluated through the ALPHA fitness test battery. Brain structure and function will be assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a randomized subsample. Cognitive performance will be assessed through the NeuroCognitive Performance Test, and academic achievement by school grades. In the second part 32 adolescents (12-13 year-old) will be cross-over randomized to these condition (i) "Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training" (MICT), (ii) "Cooperative High-Intensity Interval Training" (C-HIIT), and (iii) Sedentary condition. Neuroelectric indices will be measures by electroencephalogram (EEG) and eye-tracking, working memory by n-back task and reading comprehension by a reading task.

DISCUSSION

The main strength of this project is that, to our knowledge, this is the first study analysing the potential association of PA, sedentarism, and physical fitness on brain structure and function, cognitive performance, and academic achievement in a developing country, which presents an important sociocultural gap. For this purpose, this project will use advanced technologies in neuroimaging (MRI), electrophysiology (EEG), and eye-tracking, as well as objective and quality measurements of several physical and cognitive health outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03894241 Date of register: March 28, 2019. Retrospectively Registered.

Impact of the Food-Labeling and Advertising Law Banning Competitive Food and Beverages in Chilean Public Schools, 2014-2016

Objectives. To evaluate the impact of a national law banning sales of competitive food and beverages (CF&B) in schools on the availability of CF&B sold at school kiosks.Methods. This study was uncontrolled before and after study. We evaluated public schools in Santiago de Chile (n = 21; 78% response rate) in 2014 and 2016 (6 months after the law came into force). Trained personnel collected data on calories, total sugars, saturated fat, and sodium from food labels. The outcome was the percentage of foods exceeding the cutoff levels defined in the law and the mean difference between 2014 and 2016.Results. Foods exceeding any cutoffs decreased from 90.4% in 2014 to 15.0% in 2016. Solid products had a substantial reduction in calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Liquid products had a reduction in calories, total sugar, and saturated fat, whereas sodium increased. This was a result of changes in product mix.Conclusions. A ban on sales of CF&B reduced the availability of CF&B at Santiago's school kiosks. Further research should examine the impact of this ban on food intake and health outcomes.

First-year university is associated with greater body weight, body composition and adverse dietary changes in males than females

Background

The transition from high school to university life is a critical time for change, often accompanied by the adoption of negative lifestyle habits including unhealthy nutrition. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to identify sex-specific changes in dietary intake and diet quality, and associated changes in body weight and composition during first-year university.

Methods

Three-hundred and one students (n = 229 females) completed food frequency questionnaires, and had their body weight, body composition, waist and hip circumference measured at the beginning and end of first-year university. Repeated-measures ANOVAs with covariate adjustments were used with variables for sex (between group) and time (within group) to assess these changes.

Results

Students gained body weight and fat during the year (p<0.001). Body mass Index (BMI) also significantly increased (p = 0.032). Males gained more weight (Male:3.8 kg; Female:1.8 kg), fat mass (Male:2.7 kg; Female:1.5 kg), lean mass (Male:1.1 kg; Female:0.3 kg) and BMI (Male:1.2 kg/m²; Female:0.7 kg/m²; p≤0.001 for interactions), and had greater increases in waist circumference (Male:2.7 cm; Female:1.1 cm) and waist:hip ratio (Male:0.02; Female:0.004; p<0.05 for interactions) than females. Energy intake remained the same over the year in both sexes, accompanied by an increase in alcohol (ethanol) in both sexes but more so in males than females (p = 0.011 interaction). Diet quality decreased, characterized by a reduced intake of healthy foods/beverages (p<0.05) in both sexes such as yogurt, cheese, oatmeal, breads, rice, pasta, vegetables, green salad, fruits, steak, fish, nuts and milk, and an increased consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages (p<0.05) such as donuts/cakes, fried chicken, beer and liquor. Significant interactions between sexes indicated that males displayed a more adverse and lower quality eating pattern which included greater intakes of donuts/cakes, fried chicken, beer and liquor, as well as decreased intakes of eggs and vegetables compared to females. Lastly, some dietary intake changes significantly correlated with fat mass and waist circumference change indicating that poor dietary choices were associated with increased adiposity.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that during first-year university, both male and female students undergo unfavorable changes in nutrition and body weight/composition that significantly differ between sexes, with males showing more adverse changes. Our results can be used to inform effective sex-specific strategies and interventions to improve dietary habits during the transition to university life.

Nutrition education in the Australian New South Wales primary school curriculum: An exploration of time allocation, translation and attitudes in a sample of teachers

ISSUE ADDRESSED

The dietary intakes of Australian children are not optimal, with few meeting recommended vegetable and fruit intake targets. Nutrition education in childhood is important for developing healthy eating patterns, with schools an ideal setting for a wide reach. The aims of this study were to examine nutrition education within the NSW primary school syllabus, explore how much time teachers spend teaching nutrition, what is taught, what materials are used, and to identify attitudes towards nutrition education.

METHOD

An online survey consisting of 29 closed questions (with options for comments) was specifically developed for the purpose of this study. Teachers currently teaching at a NSW primary school were eligible to participate.

RESULTS

A total of 33 NSW primary school teachers completed the survey. Results indicate that limited time is spent on teaching nutrition with some important nutrition education components currently missed, resources perceived to be inadequate and lack of time reported as the largest barrier to teaching nutrition.

CONCLUSION

In order to improve the quality of nutrition education in NSW primary schools, several important topics need to be integrated into the curriculum, and time constraints of teachers should be taken into account. SO WHAT?: Findings from the current survey will inform the development of future nutrition education programs and resources with the aim of integrating nutrition education within the primary school curriculum.

Increased Adiposity as a Potential Risk Factor for Lower Academic Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chilean Adolescents from Low-to-Middle Socioeconomic Background

We explored the association between excess body fat and academic performance in high school students from Santiago, Chile. In 632 16-year-olds (51% males) from low-to-middle socioeconomic status (SES), height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. Body-mass index (BMI) and BMI for age and sex were calculated. Weight status was evaluated with 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) references. Abdominal obesity was diagnosed with International Diabetes Federation (IDF) references. Total fat mass (TFM) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). TFM values ≥25% in males and ≥35% in females were considered high adiposity. School grades were obtained from administrative records. Analysis of covariance examined the association of fatness measures with academic performance, accounting for the effect of diet and physical activity, and controlling SES background and educational confounders. We found that: (1) having obesity, abdominal obesity, or high adiposity was associated with lower school performance alone or in combination with unhealthy dietary habits or reduced time allocation for exercise; (2) high adiposity and abdominal obesity were more clearly related with lower school grades compared to obesity; (3) the association of increased fatness with lower school grades was more salient in males compared to females.

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

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.

Leptin status in adolescence is associated with academic performance in high school: a cross-sectional study in a Chilean birth cohort

OBJECTIVE

Leptin is a pleiotropic hormone associated with learning and memory via brain receptors. However, elevated plasma leptin levels may impair cognitive and memory functions. Since individual differences in memory performance affect students' ability to learn, we aimed to study the relation between leptin status in adolescence and school performance.

DESIGN AND SETTING

We studied 568 adolescents aged 16-17 years from Santiago. A cross-sectional analysis was carried out on a birth cohort conducted in Santiago (Chile).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

We measured serum leptin concentration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cut-offs from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) Study for 16-year-olds were used to define abnormally high leptin levels (hyperleptinaemia). Academic performance was measured using high-school grades and grade point average (GPA). Data were collected in 2009-2012; data analysis was performed in 2014.

RESULTS

15% of participants had hyperleptinaemia. They had significantly lower school grades and GPA compared with participants with normal leptin levels (eg, GPA mean difference=33.8 points). Leptin levels were negative and significantly correlated with school grades in 9th, 10th and 12th. Similarly, it was negatively correlated with high-school GPA. After controlling for health, sociodemographic and education confounders, the chances of having a performance ≥75th centile in students having hyperleptinaemia were 32% (95% CI 0.19% to 0.89%) that of students having normal serum leptin concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

In high school students, abnormally high levels of leptin were associated with poorer academic performance. These findings support the idea of a relationship between leptin and cognition. Further research is needed on the cognitive effects of leptin in younger populations.