title: The relationship between unhealthy snacking at school and academic outcomes: a population study in Chilean schoolchildren.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the association between unhealthy snacking at school and academic outcomes in students from the Santiago Metropolitan Region (Chile).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured the nutritional quality of snacks at school using an FFQ, and accounting for the amounts of saturated fat, fibre, sugar and salt in the foods, and academic outcomes using national standardized test scores in Language and Mathematics. Multivariate regression analyses modelled the relationship between unhealthy snacking at school (exposure), potential confounders and performance in Mathematics and Language (outcomes).
  
  
  METHODS
  Random sample of 1073 students (13.1 (SD 2.3) years old) attending public, partially subsidized and private schools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six per cent of students ate items at snack time that were high in fat, sugar, salt and energy, and thus were considered to have unhealthy snaking. Thirty-six per cent and 8% were considered to have poor-to-fair and healthy snacking, respectively. Unhealthy snacking significantly lowered the odds of good academic performance in both domains. Students having unhealthy snacks were 56% less likely to pass in Language (fully adjusted OR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.23, 0.85) and 66% less likely to pass in Mathematics (fully adjusted OR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.19, 0.64) compared with students having healthy snack items.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Schoolchildren eating unhealthy foods at snack time had worse academic performance in Language and Mathematics, as measured by a standardized test. Although association does not imply causation, these findings support the notion that academic and health-related behaviours are linked. More research is needed on the effect of school health programmes on educational outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology,University of Chile,Avda. El Líbano 5524,Macul,CP 7830490,Santiago de Chile,Chile.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Correa-Burrows
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology,University of Chile,Avda. El Líbano 5524,Macul,CP 7830490,Santiago de Chile,Chile.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology,University of Chile,Avda. El Líbano 5524,Macul,CP 7830490,Santiago de Chile,Chile.
authors.forename: Yasna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Orellana
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology,University of Chile,Avda. El Líbano 5524,Macul,CP 7830490,Santiago de Chile,Chile.
authors.forename: Daniza
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ivanovic
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009753:Nutritive Value; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012574:Schools; D062410:Snacks; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Academic performance; Eating habits; School-age children; Western diet