Adolescents Nutritional Status and its association with Academic Performance in South Ethiopia; a facility-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThough evidence about the magnitude of malnutrition is well established in Ethiopia, the evidence is scarce about the association of nutritional status with academic performance among adolescents. Thus, this study aimed at determining the association of nutritional status with academic performance among adolescents attending secondary schools in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 670 systematically selected adolescents in secondary schools of Wolaita Sodo town from April to June 2019. The academic performance of the adolescents was measured using the average mark score of two consecutive semester's results of the overall subjects. Data were analyzed with STATA software Version 15. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation, and linear regression were used in the statistical analysis, and p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsThe mean academic performance of students was 69.21 ± 0.42 (95% CI: 68.34%-70.02%). An average mark score of students increased by 1.89 (β = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.14, 2.64) for a unit increase in BMI for age z-score. Being female decreased an average mark score by 2.63 (β=-2.63; 95%CI: -4.28, -0.98) and being from a separated parents decreased by 4.73 (β=-4. 73; 95%CI: -6.73, -2.74). An average mark score of students from the lowest wealth class decreased by 9.92(-9.92; 95%CI: -12.79, -7.04) as compared to students from the highest wealth class. Attending private schools increased the average mark score of students by 4.18 (β = 4.18; 95%CI: 2.46, 5.90).ConclusionInterventions targeted at adolescents’ nutritional status should be designed and implemented. The town education office and concerned bodies should launch a school feeding program for government schools. Development and income-generating activities should target households with the lowest wealth status. Schools should give tutorial classes for female students.