Hábitos alimentarios y rendimiento académico en escolares adolescentes de Chile Translated title: Eating habits and academic performance in school adolescents Chile

Abstract

RESUMEN Introducción Este estudio tuvo por objetivo analizar la relación entre rendimiento académico y los hábitos alimentarios de una población escolar adolescente de Chile. Material y Métodos El estudio fue de tipo descriptivo y de corte transversal. La muestra fue de 2.116 estudiantes (60,8% mujeres y 39,2% hombres). Se determinaron los hábitos por medio de un recordatorio de 24 horas y se consideraron los promedios escolares generales, de matemática y lenguaje, además de pruebas estandarizadas. Para el análisis de datos se utilizaron estadísticos descriptivos e inferenciales. Resultados Los resultados indicaron que un 59,1% de los estudiantes desayuna; un 71,4% realiza tres o cuatro comidas al día; y que quienes realizan dichas acciones tienen medias de rendimiento superiores a quienes no. Conclusiones Quienes presentan correctos hábitos alimentarios evidencian un mejor rendimiento escolar, realzando la importancia de promover hábitos de vida saludable entre la comunidad escolar.

Translated abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction The objective of this study was to describe the eating habits and analyze the relationship between eating habits and academic performance in school adolescent population of Chile. Material and Methods The study has a descriptive cross-cutting design. The sample was formed by 2,116 students (60.8% women and 39.2% men). Habits were determined by means of a 24-hour recall and school averages, in mathematics and language, as well as standardized tests were considered. For the analysis of data, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results The results indicated that 59.1% of students have breakfast; 71.4% eat three or four meals a day; and, that those who performed such actions have a medium of performance that is superior to those who do not. Conclusions Those with correct eating habits show better school performance, enhancing the importance of promoting healthy lifestyle habits among the school community.