Longitudinal weight status and academic achievement in elementary schoolchildren in the United States
Authors' conclusion
Results suggest very small associations between weight status and academic achievement that were largely explained by sociodemographic factors and CRF. Evidence of an association between weight status and achievement was stronger among students who developed overweight/obesity. Interventions promoting healthy weight and high CRF remain critical for schools given the link between student health and achievement.
Study context
- Population
- Grade 4 students in a large suburban school district in the United States; data for Grades 3–5Grade 4 students
- Participants
- 4,936 participants
- Exposure
- Longitudinal weight status and academic achievement
- Outcome
- Academic achievement: course grades and standardized test scores
- Follow-up
- Grades 3-5
Methodological detailsmultilevel analyses, multiple imputation, school-based, accelerometer-measured physical activity, Multiple imputation for missing data; multilevel analyses controlled for student demographics and clustering within schools
- Multilevel analyses
- Multiple imputation
- School-based
- Accelerometer-measured physical activity
- Multiple imputation for missing data; multilevel analyses controlled for student demographics and clustering within schools
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Unadjusted: small negative associations between persistent obesity and course grades and standardized test scores; largely disappeared after controlling for demographics
- Residual associations for math and writing grades attenuated when controlling for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF); some marginal negative associations for math and writing remained for students who developed obesity
- Marginal negative associations with course grades for students who developed overweight/obesity
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- No evidence of modification by sex or race/ethnicity
Original publication
Longitudinal weight status and academic achievement in elementary schoolchildren in the United States. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 21 April 2023. doi:10.
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