Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Academic Performance in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been associated with numerous health benefits, yet it is often suboptimal among university students. Its relationship with academic performance (AP), an outcome with potential long-term implications, has not been quantitatively synthesized in this population. This study aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the associations between MedDiet adherence and AP in university students. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA 2020 and MOOSE guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42024526903). PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 6 August 2026. AP was examined through objective (grade point average, mean academic grade, or university entrance scores) and subjective measures (academic self-concept or perceived academic progress). Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using random-effects models. Subgroup, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed. Methodological quality was appraised with the NIH tool, and certainty of evidence with GRADE. Results: Twelve cross-sectional studies were included (10,931 students; study-level mean ages: 19.0-25.1 years; 56.7% female). A positive association was observed in the primary analysis of objective AP measures (10 studies; SMD = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.94; I2 = 98.2%) and for subjective measures (3 studies; SMD = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.71; I2 = 0.0%). The certainty of the evidence…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Promising Sources of Plant-Derived Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Narrative Review
- Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in patients with chronic kidney disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cognition: an updated systematic review of randomized clinical trials
- The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A narrative review
- Paucity of evidence for a relationship between long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review
- Omega-3 fatty acid nanocarriers: Characterization and potential applications
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.