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Cited by 86Obesity, Physical Activity, DietPhysical Activity and HealthSchool Health and Nursing Education

The extended relationship between child cardiovascular risks and academic performance measures

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Cottrell, Lesley A., Northrup, Karen, Wittberg, Richard·2007·Obesity
DOI 10.1038/oby.2007.377
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Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between children's overweight status and other cardiovascular risk fitness factors and academic performance among fifth‐grade students. Research Methods and Procedures: Using a sample of 968 fifth‐grade students (50.7% boys; mean age = 10.6 years), children's cardiovascular risks (BMI, blood pressure, acanthosis nigricans) and fitness measures were compared with their mean group performance scores across four subscales (mathematics, reading/language arts, science, and social studies) of a statewide standardized academic performance test. Results: Of this sample, 39% were either at risk for being overweight or were already overweight; slightly over one half were of normal weight. Initial findings revealed a significant relationship between children's weight category and their reading/language arts, mathematics, and science test scores even after controlling for a proxy of socioeconomic status. When additional cardiovascular risk and fitness measures were included in the model, however, children's BMI status had no association. Instead, a composite fitness index, children's blood pressure, sex, and proxy of socioeconomic status were significantly associated with children's academic test scores. Discussion: This study expanded our understanding of the connection between children's overweight risks and academic performance by examining the impact of other cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and measures of fitness. These findings support the development and implementation of childhood cardiovascular risk surveillance programs that evaluate not only children's overweight risks but also their fitness, risk for type 2 diabetes, and/or high blood pressure by showing a relationship between some of these risks and children's academic test performance.

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  • Lack of emotional distress, vigorous physical activity and good physical fitness, low aggression, and balanced nutrition are health assets positively associated with academic achievement.

    “Lack of emotional distress,14 vigorous physical activity and good physical fitness,12, 15, 16 low aggression,17 and balanced nutrition18, 19 are health assets positively associated with academic achievement.”

    From Health and School Outcomes During Children's Transition Into Adolescence (2013) · cites this paper as [12]

  • Evidence suggests that neither body mass index nor body fat are strong predictors of achievement; rather, poor physical fitness seems to be the key determinant of lower achievement.

    “Evidence of associations between obesity and achievement suggests that neither body mass index nor body fat are strong predictors; rather, poor physical fitness seems to be the key determinant of lower achievement.11, 12”

    From Health and School Outcomes During Children's Transition Into Adolescence (2013) · cites this paper as [12]

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Stradmeijer M, Bosch J, Koops W, Seidell J. Family func- tioning and psychosocial adjustment in overweight young- sters. Int J Eat Disord. 2000;27:110 -4.
  2. Campos AL, Sigulem DM, Moraes DE, et al. Intelligent quotient of obese children and adolescents by the Weschler scale. Rev Saude Publica. 1996;30:85-90.

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Authors
Cottrell, L. A., Northrup, K., & Wittberg, R.
Affiliations
West Virginia University (US)
Corresponding author
Cottrell, Lesley A.
ORCID
Cottrell, Lesley A.
Venue
Obesity
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2007-12
Volume
15
Issue
12
Pages
3170-3177
ISSN
  • 1930-7381 (ISSN-L)
  • 1930-739X
DOI
10.1038/oby.2007.377
OpenAlex
W2086675177
Cited by
86
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 10
FWCI
3.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 1741 d)
Locations
  • Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • West Virginia University
  • Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
Keywords
childhood overweight, cardiovascular risk factors, academic performance, body mass index, blood pressure, acanthosis nigricans, physical fitness, fifth grade students, standardized test scores, socioeconomic status, type 2 diabetes risk
MeSH terms
Achievement, Cardiovascular Diseases, Child, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Educational Measurement, Female, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Hypertension, Male, Obesity, Risk Factors, Social Class, Models, Statistical, Body Mass Index, Multivariate Analysis, Overweight

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