Background:

Eating habits directly affect academic performance. Among young university students, it has been observed that there is an association between good eating and study habits, which has a positive impact on their academic performance.

Objective:

To determine the relationship between eating habits and academic performance of students from public and private universities in Chapinero, Bogota.

Materials and Methods:

A questionnaire developed by the GRIINSAN research group of the Faculty of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Universidad del Atlántico was applied among a sample of 68 students from private universities and 53 from public universities; the results were contrasted with the academic performance records of each student.

Results:

Daily consumption of sugars and fats (<35%), preference for fried foods, and the absence of mid-afternoon intake are associated with low academic performance of public university students. The daily consumption of sugars (26.4%) and the low intake of vegetables and the mid-afternoon are associated with low performance among private university students.

Conclusions:

Students with a higher performance show healthier eating habits, with higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, and mid-afternoons.

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