Adolescents’ nutritional status and its association with academic performance in South Ethiopia; a facility-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable stages of life in which malnutrition inhibits academic performance through poor growth and development, mental retardation, poor overall cognitive function and poor health status. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the association between nutritional status and academic performance among adolescent students. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of nutritional status and academic performance among adolescent secondary school students in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A 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 mean mark score of two consecutive semesters’ results of all subjects. Data were analyzed using Stata software Version 15. Descriptive statistics, binary and multiple linear regression analysis were done. Statistical association of dependent and independent variables was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results The mean academic performance of students was 69.21 ± 0.42 (95% CI: 68.34–70.02%). A mean 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 a mean 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). A mean mark score of students from the first 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 mean mark score of students by 4.18 (β = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.46, 5.90). Conclusions Interventions targeted at adolescents’ nutritional status should be designed and implemented. The town education office and concerned bodies should launch a school feeding program for public schools. Development and income generation activities should target households in the first wealth status. Schools are recommended to design additional teaching and learning schemes such as tutorial classes for girl students.

Hubungan Antara Status Gizi, Asupan Zat Besi Dan Seng Dengan Prestasi Belajar Pada Remaja Putri Di SMP Santo Yoseph

“…[12][13] Hasil penelitian lain menunjukkan bahwa faktor lain yang mempengaruhi kinerja akademik adalah tingkat pendapatan orang tua, tingkat pendidikan orang tua, jenis akreditasi sekolah, status perkawinan serta pekerjaan orang tua. 2 Merujuk pada hasil penelitian terkait hubungan status gizi terhadap prestasi belajar pada remaja putri yang tercantum pada Tabel 7 bahwa didapatkan tidak ditemukan korelasi signifikan status gizi terhadap prestasi belajar Bahasa Indonesia nilai p = 0,241 (> 0,05), status gizi tidak berhubungan signifikan terhadap prestasi belajar Matematika nilai p = 0,288 (> 0,05), status gizi tidak berhubungan signifikan terhadap prestasi belajar Bahasa Inggris nilai p = 0,690 (> 0,05) dan status gizi tidak memiliki korelasi signifikan terhadap prestasi belajar Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam nilai p = 0,327 (> 0,05). Penelitian ini sejalan atas penelitian oleh Ramadhan bahwa dalam penelitian tersebut telah gagal menemukan korelasi signifikan secara statistik status gizi dan keberhasilan belajar siswa SMA negeri unggul Kota Subulussalam diperoleh nilai p = 0,281 dan koefisiensi relasi (r = -0,094).…”

“…Sedangkan kekurangan gizi atau malnutrisi berpotensi menghambat pencapaian akademik melalui pertumbuhan dan perkembangan mental yang buruk, motivasi yang berkurang dan perkembangan kognitif yang buruk. 2 Beberapa penelitian telah dilakukan untuk mengetahui besaran persentasi status gizi pada remaja. Secara keseluruhan, prevalensi kekurangan gizi atau malnutrisi pada populasi remaja usia 13 hingga 15 tahun mengalami adalah 10,1% menjadi 11,1%, sedangkan prevalensi kelebihan berat badan atau obesitas mengalami peningkatan adalah 2,5% menjadi 10,8%.…”

Association between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Academic Performance among Adolescent Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…After signing an informed consent form, the questionnaires (from each student) were completed by the research assistants. This questionnaire was based on similar previous studies [6,7,[10][11][12]29]. The questionnaire contained questions about sociodemographic data, such as gender (male or female), age in years, and parents' education (secondary level and ≥ secondary) and occupation status.…”

“…For example, in Africa, various educational challenges exist, such as the poor quality of education and lack of resources [4,5]. Several factors, such as gender [3,6], high socioeconomic status [7], school type (public or private) [3], and anthropometric measurements, including body mass index [6,7], anemia [8][9][10], and vitamin D deficiency (defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <20 ng/mL) [11,12], were all reported to be associated with academic performance. In addition, several diseases are reported to be associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as headaches [13]; several psychological disorders, including stress, depression, and anxiety [14]; and sleep disorders, including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea [15];…”

Association between nutrient intake from vegetables and BMI category of in-school adolescents in urban and rural areas in Davao City, Philippines

“…As adolescence is a period of faster growth [ 9 ] and significant nutrition transition from childhood to adulthood, improper nutrition may lead to future health issues, affecting individual productivity in the labor market [ 10 ]. Nutritional status is positively associated with academic performance among adolescents; hence, malnutrition during this stage consequently hampers development on a global scale [ 11 ]. Therefore, there is a need for more extensive efforts to improve the nutritional practices of adolescents, primarily those residing in LMIC [ 2 , 4 ].…”