Impact of Dietary Patterns Among Students of the University of Lahore on their Health Status and Academic Performance

Abstract: A large number of students start to achieve bad academic score in the university. There can be multiple factors but one of the most important factor is change in dietary patterns. Objective: To find out the impact of dietary patterns among students of The University of Lahore on their health status and academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at The University of Lahore Defence Road Lahore and completed within 9 months using the purposive sampling technique. The data were collected through pre-tested questionnaire from 384 students. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Frequencies were calculated, Pearson's chi-square test and Paired sample t-test were applied. Results: Total of 384 students were included in the study. Among all of them,87.5% students were having breakfast and 29.6% were having grade A- and 0% having grade A among those who did not take breakfast and this difference was significant (pvalue<0.05).Similarly, students who consumed fresh juices at morning snack time were good grades achievers with percentage of 60.1% as compare to who did not consume fresh juices with percentage of 39.8%. Almost all the students who were taking a healthy meal were among the good grades achievers. Conclusions: It was concluded from the current study that there is a direct relation between dietary patterns and good grades in the academics. Key words: Dietary pattern, University students, academic score, meals, health status.