Assessing the eating habits and academic performance among Makerere university students

Abstract

The discontinuation of government-supported meal programs at Makerere University in 2018 shifted the responsibility of eating management to students, raising concerns about the impact of self-regulated eating habits on academic performance. Despite global evidence linking nutrition to cognitive function, limited research exists on this relationship in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess eating habits, document academic performance, and examine their association among undergraduate students at Makerere University. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 364 undergraduate students residing in university halls. Data were collected via a structured online questionnaire adopted from validated tools. Eating habits were quantified using a 12-item Eating Habits Score (EHS), while academic performance was measured through self-reported Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and regression analyses were performed using SPSS v27. Ethical approval was obtained (MAKSHSREC-2024-775). The study examined the relationship between eating habits and academic performance among 364 university students using both Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression analyses. Pearson correlation results showed statistically significant positive associations between frequency of eating breakfast per week and self-reported CGPA (r = 0.214, p < 0.001), and between eating regular meals and CGPA (r = 0.136, p = 0.009). Logistic regression results showed that students with healthier eating habits had higher odds of better academic performance ([aOR] = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.85–1.52, p = 0.396), and students who ate breakfast more frequently also had increased odds (aOR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.90–1.44, p = 0.282). Eating regular meals was associated with 47% higher odds of better performance (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.77–2.82, p = 0.244), though none of these associations were statistically significant in the logistic model. The results indicate that regular meal consumption, having breakfast frequently, and maintaining healthy eating habits are all favourably correlated with academic performance; however, these associations were weak and not statistically significant in the regression model. The significant Pearson correlations, however, point to a possible connection that needs more research. University students' academic performance may increase if healthier eating habits are encouraged, but more thorough, long-term research is required to verify causality.