Dietary patterns and academic performance among Moroccan adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Nutrition quality has been consistently linked to academic outcomes. Studies across different cultural contexts suggest that adolescents with balanced diets tend to show better well-being and school adjustment. Objective: This study aimed to examine the associations between adolescents’ regular eating habits and their academic performance in the Beni Mellal-Khénifra region of Morocco. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 439 students aged 14 to 20 years. Eating habits were assessed using the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) questionnaire, and academic performance was measured via overall grade point average. Statistical analyses using SPSS explored correlations between dietary patterns and school achievement. Results: The participants’ average age was 15.02 years (43.7% male, 56.3% female). Descriptive analysis showed that fries, fast foods, and sweet drinks were frequently consumed, while fruits, vegetables, and breakfast at home were less common. Spearman’s correlation revealed a positive association between healthy eating (Factor 2) and academic performance (ρ = 0.166, 95% CI [0.08, 0.25], p < 0.001), indicating a small but meaningful effect. Unhealthy food consumption (Factor 1) was not significantly related to GPA. Regression analysis confirmed that higher healthy eating scores predicted better academic performance (B = 0.472, 95% CI [0.214, 0.729], p < 0.001), while unhealthy eating did not show a significant effect, even after controlling for gender, age, education level, and area of residence. Discussion: These findings align with previous research showing links between diet quality and school performance. The small effect size suggests that healthier eating is associated with modest differences in academic outcomes, highlighting that school performance is influenced by multiple factors, including psychosocial and environmental aspects. Conclusions: The study identified significant associations between eating habits and academic performance among adolescents in the Beni Mellal-Khénifra region. Considering dietary patterns in adolescent development research appears valuable. Further longitudinal or experimental studies are recommended to clarify these relationships.