Fast-Food, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, and Academic Performance: The First Study Among Junior School Students in Iraq

Abstract

This study is the first in Iraq to investigate the relationship between fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and academic performance among junior school students. The aim was to assess the frequency of fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage intake among junior school students in Erbil, Iraq, and examine its association with academic achievement. Data were collected from 354 students using a dietary intake questionnaire, while academic performance was assessed based on students' grades in English, Mathematics, and Science. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Male students reported slightly higher consumption of fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages than female students. Students with the highest frequency of fast-food consumption achieved significantly lower mean scores in Mathematics, English, and Science than those with the lowest consumption levels. A similar trend was observed for sugar-sweetened beverages, with higher consumption significantly associated with poorer academic performance across all three subjects. All observed differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001).
In conclusion, frequent consumption of fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages was significantly and inversely associated with academic performance among junior school students. Although the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, these findings highlight the potential adverse impact of unhealthy dietary habits on educational outcomes. Further longitudinal and prospective studies are warranted to clarify the direction and underlying mechanisms of these associations.