Mediators of the association between childhood body mass index and educational attainment: Analysis of a UK prospective cohort study
An erratum to this article was published (Pediatr Obes, Sep 2023 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
The detrimental effect of higher BMI on educational attainment appears to be partly explained by externalizing behaviours, particularly in females. Interventions to support behavioural problems may help the academic achievement of children with a higher body weight.
Study context
- Population
- Children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (UK)
- Participants
- 6,949 children
- Exposure
- Higher vs lower body mass index (BMI) z-score at 11.7 years
- Outcome
- Educational attainment (GCSE results) and mediation by depressive symptoms, externalizing behaviours, bullying and school enjoyment
- Follow-up
- Age 16
Methodological detailssequential causal mediation analysis
- Sequential causal mediation analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Association of BMI z-score with GCSE scores
β
−3.47
95% CI −5.54 to −1.41
Females
β
−4.33
95% CI −6.73 to −1.94
Males
- Joint mediation (bullying, externalizing, depressive symptoms, school enjoyment), females
- 41.9%
- Joint mediation, males
- 23.3%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Mediators of the association between childhood body mass index and educational attainment: Analysis of a UK prospective cohort study. Pediatr Obes. Published 23 February 2023. doi:10.
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