Adolescents' nutritional status and its association with academic performance in South Ethiopia; a facility-based cross-sectional study

Background Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable stages of life in which malnutrition inhibits academic performance through poor growth and development, mental retardation, poor overall cognitive function and poor health status. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the association between nutritional status and academic performance among adolescent students. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of nutritional status and academic performance among adolescent secondary school students in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 670 systematically selected adolescents in secondary schools of Wolaita Sodo town from April to June 2019. The academic performance of the adolescents was measured using the mean mark score of two consecutive semesters' results of all subjects. Data were analyzed using Stata software Version 15. Descriptive statistics, binary and multiple linear regression analysis were done. Statistical association of dependent and independent variables was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results The mean academic performance of students was 69.21 +/- 0.42 (95% CI: 68.34-70.02%). A mean mark score of students increased by 1.89 (beta = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.14, 2.64) for a unit increase in BMI for age z-score. Being female decreased a mean mark score by 2.63 (beta = - 2.63; 95%CI: - 4.28, - 0.98) and being from a separated parents decreased by 4.73 (beta = - 4. 73; 95%CI: - 6.73, - 2.74). A mean mark score of students from the first wealth class decreased by 9.92 (- 9.92; 95%CI: - 12.79, - 7.04) as compared to students from the highest wealth class. Attending private schools increased the mean mark score of students by 4.18 (beta = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.46, 5.90). Conclusions Interventions targeted at adolescents' nutritional status should be designed and implemented. The town education office and concerned bodies should launch a school feeding program for public schools. Development and income generation activities should target households in the first wealth status. Schools are recommended to design additional teaching and learning schemes such as tutorial classes for girl students.