Background and objective Adolescence is a transition period involving tremendous physical, psychological and cognitive growth. For appropriate growth of adolescents in these aspects, a correct quantity and quality of nourishment is required, as a lack of such nourishment among adolescents can lead to various degrees of malnutrition, which may have implications on their health as well as their academic achievements. Materials and methods This review examines the research topics around factors that influence the nutritional status of adolescent students which can affect their academic performance. Results Some of the vital factors include knowledge and attitude about nutrition, eating behaviour, physical activity, socio-economic status of the family, the surrounding environment at school and home, the frequency and timing of meals, nutritional contents and amount of food intake. Conclusion Students who consume a balanced diet perform better in exams, show better behaviour as well as attendance at school and get their assigned tasks done more thoroughly compared with those who do not consume a balanced diet.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic malnutrition in adolescents may result in significant academic difficulties at school. This study aimed to determine the impact of nutritional status and related factors on the academic achievement of adolescents in secondary/high schools in Myanmar. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed in two high schools in Hlaing Tharyar District, Yangon using a self-administered questionnaire on food intake and other factors potentially affecting nutritional status. Grade-point averages (GPA) in the previous academic year were recorded to identify any association between nutritional status and academic achievement. RESULTS We enrolled 301 students aged 13–17 years (mean ± SD, 14.43 ± 0.95). Over half of the respondents were female (65.1%). Most of the respondents showed normal body mass index values, followed by underweight, overweight and obesity. Regarding academic achievement, a GPA of A, B, C and D was seen in 41.5%, 36.2%, 15.3%, and 7.0% of the respondents, respectively. Nutritional status was significantly associated with academic achievement. Underweight students had a 1.96 times higher likelihood of achieving mediocre grades (C, D) compared to normal-weight students (OR = 1.960, 95% CI: 1.063–3.614). Among other factors examined, only the number of meals per day was associated with nutritional status. Apart from the number of meals per day, the duration of walk to school, the duration of watching or playing games, and the parents’ socioeconomic status were associated with academic achievement. CONCLUSIONS There is a relationship between nutritional status and related factors on levels of academic achievement of adolescent students in the Yangon metropolitan area.