Interest in identifying factors influencing educational success is growing. Many studies have examined factors that may affect academic performance. It is often observed that a group of students sharing the same external variables (school environment) yet have different results, which states that individual variables have more impact on the determination of academic performance. Therefore, the present study aims to substantiate this controversy by investigating the association between dietary habits and academic performance in a population of adolescents attending school in Eastern Morocco. Cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire. Items included sociodemographic variables, eating and sleeping habits, physical activity practice and the last semester’s grade point average of Mathematics (GPAm) and first foreign language (GPAf) subjects. Dietary diversity score (DDS) is a significant predictor of academic performance. Weight status and sleep duration was found to be strongly associated with academic achievement. Absenteeism and smoking are negatively associated with school achievement. The results reveal associations between dietary diversity and the academic performance of students in Eastern Morocco, which supports the creation of effective nutrition education policies to overcome the double burden of malnutrition by promoting healthy diets and encouraging physical activity. The results of these actions are likely to be healthier schools and improved behavioral development and academic performance of children (www.actabiomedica.it)

Interest in identifying factors influencing educational success is growing. It is often observed that a group of students share the same external variables (school environment) yet have different results, which states that individual variables have more impact on the determination of academic performance. Therefore, the present study aimed to substantiate this fact by investigating the association between non-verbal fluid intelligence and academic performance in a population of schoolchildren in Eastern Morocco. The investigation was a cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire. Items included the standard Raven’s progressive matrices. Students’ grades were collected from the administrative offices of the visited schools. Significant and positive correlations between the non-verbal intelligence scores and the school results were found: for the general average, the correlation was 0.574; for the school subject French, the correlation coefficient was 0.475; and for mathematics, we found a relatively low coefficient of 0.381. Non-verbal fluid intelligence significantly and positively predicted academic performance (β = .574, p = .000). These results call for policymakers to implement the use of intelligence tests with school directors and teachers as a diagnostic tool to guide support efforts for low-achieving children and even to create pilot classes for the best-performing students.

In the realm of epidemiological modeling, the intricacies of epidemic dynamics are elucidated through the lens of compartmental models, with the SIR (Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered) and its variant, the SIS (Susceptible-Infectious-Susceptible) model, being pivotal. This investigation delves into both deterministic and stochastic frameworks, casting the SIR model as a continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) in stochastic settings. Such an approach facilitates simulations via Gillespie's algorithm and integration of stochastic differential equations. The latter are formulated through a bivariate Fokker-Planck equation, originating from the continuous limit of the master equation. A focal point of this study is the distribution of extinction time, specifically, the duration until recovery in a population with an initial count of infected individuals. This distribution adheres to a Gumbel distribution, viewed through the prism of a birth and death process. The stochastic analysis reveals several insights: firstly, the SIR model as a CTMC encapsulates random fluctuations in epidemic dynamics. Secondly, stochastic simulation methods, either through Gillespie's algorithm or stochastic differential equations, offer a robust exploration of disease spread variability. Thirdly, the precision of modeling is enhanced by the incorporation of a bivariate Fokker-Planck equation. Fourthly, understanding the Gumbel distribution of extinction time is crucial for gauging recovery periods. Lastly, the non-linear nature of the SIR model, when analyzed stochastically, enriches the comprehension of epidemic dynamics. These findings bear significant implications for epidemic mitigation and recovery strategies, informing healthcare resource planning, vaccine deployment optimization, implementation of social distancing measures, public communication strategies, and swift responses to epidemic resurgences.

This study investigates the impact of nutritional status on academic performance among schoolchildren in Eastern Morocco. Focusing on the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and their associations with academic outcomes, the research underscores the significance of physical well-being in educational achievement. Conducted as a cross-sectional analysis in March 2022, the survey encompassed eight public and two private schools, selected through random sampling. Classes within these schools were also randomly chosen. Utilizing a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire, completed individually by students in the presence of a trained dietician, the study also involved anthropometric measurements and clinical examinations. Additionally, students' grade point averages (GPAs) were obtained from school records. The survey comprised 596 students, with an average age of 14.86 ± 1.98 years, height of 160.47 ± 11.84 cm, and weight of 51.28 ± 11.49 kg. The prevalence of underweight was recorded at 8.7%, overweight at 10.7%, and obesity at 2.7%. Statistical analysis using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test revealed a significant association between obesity and diminished academic performance, indicating the need for attention to obesity among adolescents in this region. The findings suggest that nationallevel prevalence determination of overweight and obesity by health policymakers is crucial for this age group. Identifying risk factors associated with these conditions is imperative for effective prevention and early intervention. In this context, the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating habits is vital for fostering healthy, successful school environments. This research contributes to the understanding of how physical health, particularly nutritional status, influences academic outcomes. It highlights the need for integrated approaches that consider the physical well-being of students as a critical factor in educational success. The study's implications extend beyond academic circles, offering insights for policymakers and educators in developing holistic strategies to enhance both health and educational outcomes.