Adherence to Dietary Recommendations Supports Canadian Children's Academic Achievement.
We aimed to determine if adherence to established Canadian, American, and WHO-developed nutrition recommendations supported children's academic achievement.



Data from a health survey of 1595 grade 5 students in Alberta, Canada, was used. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to recommendations for food group servings, saturated fat intake, and free sugars intake was assessed. Survey data were linked to grade 6 standardized exam results. Multivariable mixed effects linear regression models were employed to assess the association between adherence to recommendations and academic achievement.



Boys who met current recommendations for free sugars scored on average 5.67% better on exams (β: 5.67; 95% CI: 3.14, 8.29). Boys who met recommendations for milk and alternatives scored 3.45% better on exams (β: 3.45; 95% CI: 0.67, 6.23). Though results indicated that adhering to dietary recommendations was beneficial for girls' academic achievement, no result was statistically significant.



Adherence to current dietary recommendations has benefits for children's academic achievement. This evidence may be used to inform continued development and promotion of dietary recommendations and to support school-based nutrition initiatives.
Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.|Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Erin L
EL
Faught
Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.|Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Genevieve
G
Montemurro
Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.|Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Kate E
KE
Storey
Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.|Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Paul J
PJ
Veugelers
D000076363:Academic Success; D000416:Alberta; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D000073417:Dietary Sugars; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000073417:Dietary Sugars