Higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is associated with better academic achievement in Spanish university students: A multicenter cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2024.04.004
• Publication Date: 2024-04-23T16:05:01Z
• Authors: Sofía Alfaro-Gonz...; Miriam Garrido-Mi...; Rubén Fernández-R...; Arthur Eumann Mesas; Elisabeth Bravo-E...; Purificación Lópe...; Eva Rodríguez-Gut...; Vicente Martínez-...
• Keywords: Mediterranean Diet; Cross-sectional study

To assess the association of overall score and different items Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) questionnaire with academic achievement in Spanish university students. We hypothesized that students greater adherence to (MedDiet) would have better A cross-sectional study was performed involving 266 first-year from University Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, during 2017-2018 year. diet evaluated 14-item MEDAS questionnaire. As an indicator variable for achievement, average marks exams required access universities were used. total 63 participants (23.6%) adhered MedDiet recommendations. ANCOVA models showed higher had significantly scores on than their peers low (p<0.001) after controlling potential confounders. Additionally, evaluation each item a rich olive oil, vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish shellfish consumption sweets carbonated beverages positively associated achievement; nevertheless, wine intake inversely associated. This prevalence good MedDiet. our results suggested is From public health perspective due adherence, it important continue focus promoting as part healthy lifestyle pattern improve performance young