Diet Quality and Cognitive Performance in School-Age Children: A Systematic Overview

Abstract

Childhood nutrition is increasingly recognised as an important factor influencing brain development, cognitive abilities, and academic performance. This systematic overview compiles current research examining how overall diet quality relates to cognitive outcomes in children aged 6–12 years. A systematic search approach was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using terms related to diet quality, dietary patterns, the Mediterranean diet, breakfast consumption, ultra-processed foods, schoolchildren, cognition, and academic performance. Observational and intervention studies assessing diet quality or dietary patterns alongside validated cognitive or academic measures in school-age children were included.

Higher-quality diets marked through higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, fish, and other minimally processed foods, are consistently linked to improved cognitive performance across studies. Mediterranean-style dietary patterns similarly showed positive associations with academic and cognitive domains. Regular breakfast consumption and higher breakfast quality are also linked with improvements in attention and working memory, as well as higher IQ and better longitudinal academic performance.

Overall, existing research indicates that better diet quality is positively linked with enhanced cognitive performance in school-aged children. Future research should prioritise well-designed longitudinal studies and school-based dietary interventions using standardised cognitive outcomes to strengthen causal inference and inform policy.