Background and aims: Breakfast consumption is a key lifestyle behavior that may influence both mental health and academic performance among university students. Evidence from Bangladesh remains limited. This study examined the associations between breakfast consumption patterns, mental health status, and academic performance among Bangladeshi university students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 503 students from 15 public and private universities across Bangladesh between July and September 2025. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing demographic and lifestyle characteristics, breakfast consumption frequency, mental health status, and academic performance. Breakfast consumption was categorized as regular (≥ 5 days/week) or irregular (≤ 4 days/week). Mental health was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Chi-square tests were used to examine associations, and ordinal logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of academic performance.
Results: Irregular breakfast consumption was prevalent among students. Breakfast consumption was significantly associated with perceived stress (χ 2 = 272.73, p < 0.001), anxiety (χ 2 = 194.52, p < 0.001), depression (χ 2 = 188.84, p < 0.001), academic performance (χ 2 = 284.99, p < 0.001), and physical activity (χ 2 = 26.74, p = 0.044). In adjusted ordinal logistic regression, regular breakfast consumption was strongly associated with higher academic performance (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI: 2.44-5.92, p < 0.001). Perceived stress (AOR = 1.05, p = 0.022) and anxiety (AOR = 1.10, p = 0.001) showed modest associations with academic performance, whereas depression was not significant after adjustment. The model demonstrated moderate explanatory power (Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.314).
Conclusions: Regular breakfast consumption is independently associated with better academic performance and more favorable mental health outcomes among Bangladeshi university students. Promoting regular breakfast habits may support both academic success and student well-being.