The Impact of Diet Quality on Student Success: Exploring the Relationship Between Nutrition, Cognitive Function, and Success Factors

Kady Meaney
MSc Student 
Department of Biochemistry

Date: March 10, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Room: CSF 1302

Abstract:

A growing body of research suggests that nutrition plays an important role in cognitive function, including positive associations between high-quality diet and academic success.  The impact of some other lifestyle factors, such as sleep quality and physical activity, on academic success have been extensively studied.  However, there is limited research on how diet quality and intake of specific nutrients which impact cognition, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), affect higher education students’ success. This study investigates the relationship between diet and student success, within the population of undergraduate STEM students at Memorial University of Newfoundland, using a quantitative survey and validated dietary assessment tools.  To assess the impact of diet quality and omega-3 PUFA intake, we will examine three measures of student success – grade point average (GPA), student experience and retention-associated variables.