Healthy lifestyle factors and academic performance in secondary school studentsDADOS study

Abstract

High academic performance during adolescence is considered a strong predictor of future work conditions and health status. Since adolescence is an important time frame in terms of development of academic skills and establishment of healthy lifestyle factors, it is likely that these factors have an influence on adolescents’ academic performance. Thus, the main aim of this PhD Thesis was to investigate the associations and the possible mechanisms between healthy lifestyle factors and academic performance in secondary school students. A total of 274 secondary school students (aged 13.9±0.3 years) from the DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) study were involved in the present PhD Thesis. The main findings of the present PhD Thesis reveal that academic performance in secondary school students is 1) positively associated with sleep quality (mediated by internet use time); 2) positively associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (mediated by sleep quality) and daily meal frequency, and negatively associated with the risk of eating disorders; 3) negatively associated with tumor necrosis factor-α; 4) positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (mediated by leptin concentration and body composition) and muscular strength (mediated by leptin concentration); 5) not associated with physical activity levels, and negatively associated with screen media usage. Overall, the present PhD Thesis indicates a positive association between healthy lifestyle factors and academic performance in secondary school students.