Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Cathy Anstrom
Project Type
Departmental Honors project
Scholarship Domain(s)
Scholarship of Discovery
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Abstract
Background
University students are not recognizing the correlation between breakfast consumption and academic performance. It is suspected that certain health behaviors such as consistent meal skipping and busy schedules cause students to view breakfast consumption as a low priority. If university students practice certain health behaviors, such as regular breakfast consumption, they should begin to see increased focus in the classroom and recognize the benefits of this important meal.
Methods
A quantitative design was used. One validated questionnaire, The Student Health Behavior and Academic Success was administered to all undergraduate students (N=2,800) at a small Midwestern university. One hundred and forty-seven (n=147) usable questionnaires were returned. Data was collected on overall GPA, breakfast consumption, and health behaviors that included sleep, exercise, and dietary intake.
Results
Descriptive statistics indicated 53 (36.1%) of participants regularly consumed breakfast. A Pearson’s r correlation test was performed to examine if these participants had higher GPAs. A statistically significant difference (p=0.010) was found. A Pearson’s r correlation test was performed to examine if participants practicing certain health behaviors; adequate sleep, regular exercise, and appropriate dietary intake are more likely to consume breakfast regularly. There was a statistically significant difference between regular exercise and dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (p=0.052), (p=
Conclusions
The sample size was small (n=147) results cannot be generalized beyond one university. For this population, if students eat breakfast consistently and practice positive health behaviors i.e., exercise and consume fruits and vegetables, these factors could have a positive effect on their GPAs.
Permission Type
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
The Relationship Between Breakfast Consumption and GPA Among University Students
Fishbowl
Background
University students are not recognizing the correlation between breakfast consumption and academic performance. It is suspected that certain health behaviors such as consistent meal skipping and busy schedules cause students to view breakfast consumption as a low priority. If university students practice certain health behaviors, such as regular breakfast consumption, they should begin to see increased focus in the classroom and recognize the benefits of this important meal.
Methods
A quantitative design was used. One validated questionnaire, The Student Health Behavior and Academic Success was administered to all undergraduate students (N=2,800) at a small Midwestern university. One hundred and forty-seven (n=147) usable questionnaires were returned. Data was collected on overall GPA, breakfast consumption, and health behaviors that included sleep, exercise, and dietary intake.
Results
Descriptive statistics indicated 53 (36.1%) of participants regularly consumed breakfast. A Pearson’s r correlation test was performed to examine if these participants had higher GPAs. A statistically significant difference (p=0.010) was found. A Pearson’s r correlation test was performed to examine if participants practicing certain health behaviors; adequate sleep, regular exercise, and appropriate dietary intake are more likely to consume breakfast regularly. There was a statistically significant difference between regular exercise and dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (p=0.052), (p=
Conclusions
The sample size was small (n=147) results cannot be generalized beyond one university. For this population, if students eat breakfast consistently and practice positive health behaviors i.e., exercise and consume fruits and vegetables, these factors could have a positive effect on their GPAs.