Asian Journal of Home Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Association between Overweight and Academic Achievement among Affluent School Children in Allahabad


Affiliations
1 Department of Home Science, University of Allahabad, Allahabad (U.P.), India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Psychological and social health problems related to overweight may affect academic achievement of overweight children. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between overweight and academic achievement in school children. A total of 330, school children studying between 6th and 10th standard aged between 11 to 16 years were studied from two affluent schools of Allahabad city- Maharshi Patanjali Vidya Mandir and Tagore Public School. Children with BMI between 85th and 95th percentile were considered as overweight. 165 identified overweight children as cases and 165 normal weight children as controls were selected. While selecting controls, it was kept in mind to maintain the similarity of age, gender and standard between case and control. Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) along with Math and English grades were recorded from the school register to evaluate the academic achievement of children. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Findings of the study reveal that there is no significant difference (p>0.05) between cases and controls with respect to grades achieved in CGPA, Math and English in both boys and girls. Overall, overweight was not found significantly associated to children's academic achievement. More research studies are required to further explore the relationship between excess body weight and academic achievement.

Keywords

Overweight, Academic Achievement, School Children.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Bansal, Neha and Singh, Jyotsana (2015). Overweight and Obesity among children of Affluent Public School in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Indian J. Public Health Res. & Development, 6 (1): 195-200.

  • Baxter, Suzanne D., Guinn, Caroline H., Tebbs, Joshua M. and Royer, Julie A. (2013). No relationship between academic achievement and body mass index among fourth grade African American children. J Acad. Nutr. Diet., 113 (4) : 551-557.

  • Bergstrom, E., Hernell, O., Persson, L.A. and Vessby, B. (1996). Insulin resistance syndrome in adolescents. Metabolism., 45 : 908-914.

  • Datar, A., Sturum, R. and Magnabosco, J.I. (2004). Childhood overweight and academic performance. National study of kindergartens and first graders. Obes. Res., 12 (1) : 56-58.

  • Flint, J., Kothare, S.V., Zihlif, M., Suarez, E., Adams, R., Legido, A. and De Luca, F. (2007). Association between inadequate sleep and insulin resistance in obese children. J Pediatr., 150 : 364-369.

  • Friedlander, S.L., Larkin, E.K., Rosen, C.L., Palermo, T.M. and Redline, S. (2003). Decreased quality of life associated with obesity in school aged children. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 157 (12) : 1206-1211

  • Huang, T.T.K., Goran, M.I. and Spruijt, Metz D. (2012). Associations of adiposity with measured and self reported academic performance in early adolescence. Obesity., 14(10):1839-1845.

  • Kaestner, R. and Grossman, M. (2008). Effects of weight on children’s educational achievement. NBER working paper No. 13764.

  • Kaestner, R., Grossman, M. and Yarnoff (2009). Effects of weight on adolescent educational achievement. NBER working paper No. 14994.

  • Kim, H.Y.P., Frongillo, E.A., Han, S.S., Oh, S.Y., Kim, W.K., Jang, Y.A., Won, H.S. and Kim, S.H. (2003). Academic performance of Korean children is associated with dietary behavior and physical status. Asian J. Clinical Nutrition, 12 : 186-192.

  • Kim, J.H. and So, W.Y. (2013). Association between overweight/obesity and academic performance in South Korean adolescents. Cent Eur J Public Health., 21(4):179-83.

  • Mo-Suwan, L., Lebel, L., Puetpaiboon, A. and. Junjana, C. (1999). School performance and weight status of children and young adolescents in transitional society in Thailand. Internat. J. Obes., 23 : 272-277.

  • Must, A. and Strauss, S.S. (1996). Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity. Internat. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord., 23(Suppl 2) : S2-S11.

  • Sigfusdottir, I.D., Kristjansson, A.L. and Allegrante, J.P. (2007).Health behavior and academic achievement in Icelandic school children. Health Edu. Res., 22 (1): 70-80.

  • Steinberger, J., Moorehead, C., Katch, V. and Rocchini, A.P. (1995). Relationship between insulin resistance and abnormal lipid profile in obese adolescents. J Pediatr., 126 (5 Pt 1):690-695.

  • Storch, E.A., Milsom, V.A., DeBraganza, N., Lewin, A.B., Gefken, G.R. and Silverstein, J.H. (2007). Peer victimization, psychosocial adjustment, and physical activity in overweight and at –risk-for-overweight youth. J. Pediatric Psychol., 32(1):80-89.

  • Strauss, R.S. (2000). Childhood obesity and self esteem. Pediatrics., 105 (1) : e15.

  • Stuart, M. Shore (2008). Decreased scholastic achievement in overweight middle school students.Obesity, 167:1535-1538.

  • Unger, R., Kreeger, L. and Christoffel, K.K. (1990). Childhood obesity. Medical and familial correlates and age of onset. Clin. Pediatr., 29 : 368-373.


Abstract Views: 291

PDF Views: 0




  • Association between Overweight and Academic Achievement among Affluent School Children in Allahabad

Abstract Views: 291  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Neha Bansal
Department of Home Science, University of Allahabad, Allahabad (U.P.), India

Abstract


Psychological and social health problems related to overweight may affect academic achievement of overweight children. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between overweight and academic achievement in school children. A total of 330, school children studying between 6th and 10th standard aged between 11 to 16 years were studied from two affluent schools of Allahabad city- Maharshi Patanjali Vidya Mandir and Tagore Public School. Children with BMI between 85th and 95th percentile were considered as overweight. 165 identified overweight children as cases and 165 normal weight children as controls were selected. While selecting controls, it was kept in mind to maintain the similarity of age, gender and standard between case and control. Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) along with Math and English grades were recorded from the school register to evaluate the academic achievement of children. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Findings of the study reveal that there is no significant difference (p>0.05) between cases and controls with respect to grades achieved in CGPA, Math and English in both boys and girls. Overall, overweight was not found significantly associated to children's academic achievement. More research studies are required to further explore the relationship between excess body weight and academic achievement.

Keywords


Overweight, Academic Achievement, School Children.

References