Association Of Academic Performance And Nutritional Status Among Public Secondary School Adolescents In Toke Kutaye District, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status is the balance between nutrient intake and requirements. Imbalances cause under and over-nutrition, which are linked to health, learning and behavioral problems in students. Evidence on adolescents’ academic performance and their nutrition status in public secondary schools is limited. Even some existing findings are contradictory. Objective: To assess the association between academic performance and nutritional status among public secondary school adolescents in Toke Kutaye District, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to July 1, 2025 among 462 secondary school adolescents students in Toke Kutaye district, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants for this study. Academic performance was assessed using the mean scores of two consecutive semesters. Data were collected with the Kobo Tool application analyzed using WHO AnthroPlus and SPSS version 27. Variables with p-value < 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Academic performance predictors were evaluated using adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals with statistical significance at p < 0.05. Result: The results of this study showed that 71.6% (95% CI: 67.5%, 75.7%) of the students had good academic performance. The prevalence of any malnutrition was 33.6%. Undernourished students had 67.2% lower odds of good academic performance compared to well-nourished students. Dietary diversity, family wealth index, nutritional status (BAZ), time spend on internet, physical activity, household workload and after school study were significantly associated with academic performance. Conclusion and recommendation: This study found that most students demonstrated good academic performance. About one-third of the students were affected by any malnutrition. Academic performance improves through physical activity, reduced workloads and effective internet use and after school study. Schools and local health authorities should implement programs to improve students’ nutritional status including school-based feeding programs, nutrition education and regular monitoring of students’ growth.