Effects of Dietary Habits on Academic Performance among University Students

Abstract

This study investigated the connection between eating patterns and academic achievement among undergraduate students at GIFT University in Gujranwala, ages 18 to 24. Students at universities frequently work lengthy hours on university which affects their dietary preferences and general way of life. Examining whether better eating practices are linked to improved academic performance was the primary goal of this study. 50 students were chosen at random to participate in the study using a correlational research design. The Academic Performance Scale (APS) was used to evaluate academic performance, and the Self-Regulation of Eating Behavior Questionnaire (SREBQ) was used to analyze eating behaviors. Dietary habits and academic performance were shown to be significantly positively correlated (r =.346, p <.05). This suggests that adolescents who follow healthy eating habits typically do better in school. Roughly 12% of the variation in academic achievement was explained by dietary practices. Age and gender variations were also noted, with males and female students in the 18–21 age range exhibiting somewhat better performance levels. The SREBQ's reliability was comparatively low, whilst the APS's was moderate. Overall, the findings suggest that students' academic performance might be significantly enhanced by adopting good eating habits. But financial status, sleep habits, stress, and other factors can also affect academic achievement. Future research should cover a wider and more expanded population in order to produce more broadly applicable conclusions, as the sample was restricted to a single university.