Obesity and academic performances in adolescents

Abstract

Background Adolescence is a phase of dynamic development
in human life, marked by rapid physical growth, in addition to
mental, emotional, and social development. Adolescent obesity
has been related to metabolic disease, in addition to psychological
disorders, which may lead to a negative impact on academic
performances.
Objective To assess academic performances in adolescents with
obesity
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Junior High
School No. 14 in Bandung from December 2010 to July 2011.
Subjects were aged 12 to 14 years, and were divided into two groups:
obese or good nutritional status. Statistical analysis using Fisher's
exact test was performed to assess the association of obesity and
academic performances. T-test was used to compare subjects' mean
mathematics and English performances in the two groups.
Results There were 24D students who met the inclusion criteria.
Since there were 40 obese subjects in the first group, we randomized
the remaining students to obtain 40 subjects with good nutritional
status for the second group. Best academic performances in
mathematics and English was obtained mostly by subjects in the
good nutrition group (38/40 and 39/40, respectively). Statistical
analysis revealed a significant association of lower performances in
mathematics (mean difference -2.8; 95%CI -5 to -0.6; P=0.043)
and English (mean difference -1.9; 95%CI -3.5 to -0.2; P=0.001)
to obesity. We also found a significant association of better
mathematics (P=0.001) and English performances (P=0.004)
to the father's occupation. Additional English lessons were not
associated with higher English performances in the obese group
(mean difference 0.2; 95%CI -2.9 to 3 .2; P=0.885).
Conclusion Obese adolescents tend to have poorer academic
performances compared to those with good nutritional status.