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Associations between modifiable lifestyle choices and academic performance over the first year of university: A longitudinal cohort study

E. Dephoure, K. Kyone, A. Duffy, W. Pickett, Kurtis Pankow Orcid Logo, M. Li, D. Rivera, A. Lyon, N. King

Journal of American College Health, Pages: 1 - 14

Swansea University Author: Kurtis Pankow Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/07448481.2026.2673430

Abstract

Objective: To examine associations between lifestyle choices and academic performance, considering differences by gender and the potential influence of psychopathology. Participants: 1,447 first-year Canadian undergraduates. Methods: Exposures from the Fall 2021 U-Flourish survey included substance...

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Published in: Journal of American College Health
ISSN: 0744-8481 1940-3208
Published: Informa UK Limited
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa72075
Abstract: Objective: To examine associations between lifestyle choices and academic performance, considering differences by gender and the potential influence of psychopathology. Participants: 1,447 first-year Canadian undergraduates. Methods: Exposures from the Fall 2021 U-Flourish survey included substance use, exercise, sleep, self-care, and screen time. Multivariable linear regressions estimated associations between exposures and cumulative GPA at year-end. Results: Males more commonly reported weekly binge drinking (17.7 vs. 12.2%, p = 0.01) and ≥7 h/day of leisure screen time (19.1 vs. 14.7%, p = 0.05), while females more commonly reported smoking tobacco/vaping in the past month (29.2 vs. 22.4%, p = 0.01). Poor sleep, daily smoking, and leisure screen time were independently associated with a lower average GPA. Multiple unhealthy lifestyle choices showed a dose-response association with lower GPA, particularly among females; adjustment for depressive symptoms partially attenuated these associations. Conclusion: Clustering of unhealthy lifestyle choices cumulatively undermines academic performance, underscoring the need for proactive, integrated health promotion targeting undergraduates.
Keywords: Academic performance; lifestyle; screen time; substance use; university students
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: This study was supported by a grant from the Mach-Gaensslen Foundation and the U-Flourish Survey was developed with funding from the Rossy Family Foundation and an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (TID 184571)
Start Page: 1
End Page: 14

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