Author/Authors :
Abudayya, A. University of Oslo - Institute of Health and Society - Department of Community Medicine, Norway , Shi, Z. University of Oslo - Institute of Health and Society - Department of Community Medicine, Norway , Abed, Y. Al Quds University - School of Public Health, Palestine , Holmboe-Ottesen, G. University of Oslo - Institute of Health and Society - Department of Community Medicine, Norway
Abstract :
The associations between dietary intake, nutritional status and school performance among 932 adolescents aged 12–15 years were examined in a cross-sectional survey in 2002 in north Gaza Strip. School performance was obtained from school records and height and weight were measured for body mass index (BMI). Self-administered questionnaires included sociodemographic characteristics and food frequency intakes. Adolescents consuming fruit and vegetables more than 3 times per week were more likely to have good school performance (72.6% versus 59.9%). When adjusting for sociodemographic variables and BMI, fruit and vegetables intake was positively associated with school performance (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.11–2.32) and stunting was negatively associated (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.31–0.90). The findings support a broader implementation of school nutrition programmes.
