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García I, San-Millán M, Cazorla-González J, Román-Viñas B, Serrano-Ferrer J, Jòdar-Portas A, Prats-Puig A, Font-Lladó R. Association of Physical Fitness and Anthropometric Parameters With Lung Function in 7-Year-Old Children. Pediatr Exerc Sci 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38307007 DOI: 10.1123/pes.2023-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Associations between health-related parameters and lung function remain unclear in childhood. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric parameters with the lung function of healthy scholar-aged children. METHOD A total of 418 children aged 7 years old participated in this study. The associations of physical fitness (handgrip strength, standing broad jump, and 800-m run) and anthropometric (waist circumference and body mass index) parameters with lung function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s) were analyzed using a mixed-linear regression model. RESULTS Girls had significantly lower forced vital capacity values (P = .006) and physical fitness (P < .030) compared to boys. On mixed-linear regression analyses, waist circumference (P = .003) was independently associated with forced vital capacity, explaining 34.6% of its variance, while handgrip strength (P = .042) and waist circumference (P = .010) were independently associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second, accounting together for 26.5% of its variance in 7-year-old healthy children. CONCLUSIONS Handgrip strength and waist circumference were associated with lung function in healthy children highlighting the influence of upper body muscular strength and trunk dimension on lung function. Our results corroborate the need to promote physical fitness during childhood to protect against lung complications in later on in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iker García
- EUSES University School of Health and Sports, University of Girona, Salt,Spain
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona,Spain
| | - Marta San-Millán
- EUSES University School of Health and Sports, University of Girona, Salt,Spain
- Medical Sciences Department, Clinical Anatomy, Embriology and Neuroscience Research Group (NEOMA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona,Spain
| | | | - Blanca Román-Viñas
- EUSES University School of Health and Sports, University of Girona, Salt,Spain
| | - Juan Serrano-Ferrer
- EUSES University School of Health and Sports, University of Girona, Salt,Spain
| | - Anna Jòdar-Portas
- EUSES University School of Health and Sports, University of Girona, Salt,Spain
| | - Anna Prats-Puig
- EUSES University School of Health and Sports, University of Girona, Salt,Spain
- Medical Sciences Department, Clinical Anatomy, Embriology and Neuroscience Research Group (NEOMA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona,Spain
| | - Raquel Font-Lladó
- EUSES University School of Health and Sports, University of Girona, Salt,Spain
- Psychology Department, Culture, Education and Human Development Research Group (GRICEDH), University of Girona, Girona,Spain
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Cai S, Liu Y, Dang J, Zhong P, Shi D, Chen Z, Hu P, Ma J, Dong Y, Song Y, Raat H. Clustering of Multilevel Factors Among Children and Adolescents: Associations With Health-Related Physical Fitness. J Phys Act Health 2024; 21:29-39. [PMID: 37922895 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To identify the clustering characteristics of individual-, family-, and school-level factors, and examine their associations with health-related physical fitness. METHODS A total of 145,893 Chinese children and adolescents aged 9-18 years participated in this cross-sectional study. The 2-step cluster analysis was conducted to identify clusters among individual-, family-, and school-level factors. Physical fitness indicator was calculated through sex- and age-specific z scores of forced vital capacity, standing long jump, sit-and-reach flexibility, body muscle strength, endurance running, and body mass index. RESULTS Three, 3, and 5 clusters were automatically identified at individual, family, and school levels, respectively. Students with low physical fitness indicator were more likely to be in the "longest sedentary time and skipping breakfast" cluster (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.24), and "physical inactivity and insufficient protein consumption" cluster (OR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12) at individual level, the "single children and high parental education level" cluster (OR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.10-1.21), and "no physical activity support and preference" cluster (OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.25-1.36) at family level, and the "physical education occupied" cluster (OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.11), and "insufficient physical education frequency" cluster (OR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24) at school level. Girls were more vulnerable to individual- and school-level clusters, while boys were more susceptible to family clusters; the younger students were more sensitive to school clusters, and the older students were more susceptible to family clusters (P-interaction < .05). CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed different clusters at multilevel factors and proved their associations with health-related physical fitness, thus providing new perspective for developing targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Cai
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Jiajia Dang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Panliang Zhong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Di Shi
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Ziyue Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Peijin Hu
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Yanhui Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Yi Song
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, BJ, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, BJ, China
| | - Hein Raat
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Narzisi K, Simons J. Interventions that prevent or reduce obesity in children from birth to five years of age: A systematic review. J Child Health Care 2021; 25:320-334. [PMID: 32295414 PMCID: PMC8076837 DOI: 10.1177/1367493520917863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Childhood obesity worldwide affects 5.6% or 38.3 million children under five years of age. The longer children are overweight or obese, the more likely they are to become obese adults with all the contingent morbidity involved. An extensive number of preventive interventions to combat childhood obesity have been carried out worldwide. This article reports a systematic review of interventions aimed to reducing or preventing obesity under-fives. The search was performed with six different databases: Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were independently assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Thirty studies involving 23,185 children across nine countries were included. Twenty-two were randomised controlled trials, and 8 quasi-experimental pretest/post-test design with comparison. These studies fell into four different categories: home-based interventions with family involvement (n = 12), preschool/early childhood settings (n = 9), multicomponent interventions across multiple settings (n = 6) and healthcare setting (n = 3). Future research should focus on increasing the accessibility of education on diet and physical activity for deprived families as well as the cultural acceptability of interventions to prevent childhood obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Narzisi
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK,Katia Narzisi, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - Joan Simons
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK
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Martin A, Booth JN, Laird Y, Sproule J, Reilly JJ, Saunders DH. Physical activity, diet and other behavioural interventions for improving cognition and school achievement in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 3:CD009728. [PMID: 29499084 PMCID: PMC5865125 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd009728.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity is high. Lifestyle changes towards a healthy diet, increased physical activity and reduced sedentary activities are recommended to prevent and treat obesity. Evidence suggests that changing these health behaviours can benefit cognitive function and school achievement in children and adolescents in general. There are various theoretical mechanisms that suggest that children and adolescents with excessive body fat may benefit particularly from these interventions. OBJECTIVES To assess whether lifestyle interventions (in the areas of diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and behavioural therapy) improve school achievement, cognitive function (e.g. executive functions) and/or future success in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight, compared with standard care, waiting-list control, no treatment, or an attention placebo control group. SEARCH METHODS In February 2017, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and 15 other databases. We also searched two trials registries, reference lists, and handsearched one journal from inception. We also contacted researchers in the field to obtain unpublished data. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioural interventions for weight management in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. We excluded studies in children and adolescents with medical conditions known to affect weight status, school achievement and cognitive function. We also excluded self- and parent-reported outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Four review authors independently selected studies for inclusion. Two review authors extracted data, assessed quality and risks of bias, and evaluated the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We contacted study authors to obtain additional information. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Where the same outcome was assessed across different intervention types, we reported standardised effect sizes for findings from single-study and multiple-study analyses to allow comparison of intervention effects across intervention types. To ease interpretation of the effect size, we also reported the mean difference of effect sizes for single-study outcomes. MAIN RESULTS We included 18 studies (59 records) of 2384 children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. Eight studies delivered physical activity interventions, seven studies combined physical activity programmes with healthy lifestyle education, and three studies delivered dietary interventions. We included five RCTs and 13 cluster-RCTs. The studies took place in 10 different countries. Two were carried out in children attending preschool, 11 were conducted in primary/elementary school-aged children, four studies were aimed at adolescents attending secondary/high school and one study included primary/elementary and secondary/high school-aged children. The number of studies included for each outcome was low, with up to only three studies per outcome. The quality of evidence ranged from high to very low and 17 studies had a high risk of bias for at least one item. None of the studies reported data on additional educational support needs and adverse events.Compared to standard practice, analyses of physical activity-only interventions suggested high-quality evidence for improved mean cognitive executive function scores. The mean difference (MD) was 5.00 scale points higher in an after-school exercise group compared to standard practice (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 9.32; scale mean 100, standard deviation 15; 116 children, 1 study). There was no statistically significant beneficial effect in favour of the intervention for mathematics, reading, or inhibition control. The standardised mean difference (SMD) for mathematics was 0.49 (95% CI -0.04 to 1.01; 2 studies, 255 children, moderate-quality evidence) and for reading was 0.10 (95% CI -0.30 to 0.49; 2 studies, 308 children, moderate-quality evidence). The MD for inhibition control was -1.55 scale points (95% CI -5.85 to 2.75; scale range 0 to 100; SMD -0.15, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.28; 1 study, 84 children, very low-quality evidence). No data were available for average achievement across subjects taught at school.There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of physical activity interventions combined with healthy lifestyle education on average achievement across subjects taught at school, mathematics achievement, reading achievement or inhibition control. The MD for average achievement across subjects taught at school was 6.37 points lower in the intervention group compared to standard practice (95% CI -36.83 to 24.09; scale mean 500, scale SD 70; SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.93 to 0.58; 1 study, 31 children, low-quality evidence). The effect estimate for mathematics achievement was SMD 0.02 (95% CI -0.19 to 0.22; 3 studies, 384 children, very low-quality evidence), for reading achievement SMD 0.00 (95% CI -0.24 to 0.24; 2 studies, 284 children, low-quality evidence), and for inhibition control SMD -0.67 (95% CI -1.50 to 0.16; 2 studies, 110 children, very low-quality evidence). No data were available for the effect of combined physical activity and healthy lifestyle education on cognitive executive functions.There was a moderate difference in the average achievement across subjects taught at school favouring interventions targeting the improvement of the school food environment compared to standard practice in adolescents with obesity (SMD 0.46, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.66; 2 studies, 382 adolescents, low-quality evidence), but not with overweight. Replacing packed school lunch with a nutrient-rich diet in addition to nutrition education did not improve mathematics (MD -2.18, 95% CI -5.83 to 1.47; scale range 0 to 69; SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.72 to 0.20; 1 study, 76 children, low-quality evidence) and reading achievement (MD 1.17, 95% CI -4.40 to 6.73; scale range 0 to 108; SMD 0.13, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.61; 1 study, 67 children, low-quality evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Despite the large number of childhood and adolescent obesity treatment trials, we were only able to partially assess the impact of obesity treatment interventions on school achievement and cognitive abilities. School and community-based physical activity interventions as part of an obesity prevention or treatment programme can benefit executive functions of children with obesity or overweight specifically. Similarly, school-based dietary interventions may benefit general school achievement in children with obesity. These findings might assist health and education practitioners to make decisions related to promoting physical activity and healthy eating in schools. Future obesity treatment and prevention studies in clinical, school and community settings should consider assessing academic and cognitive as well as physical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Martin
- University of EdinburghCentre for Population Health SciencesMedical School, Teviot PlaceEdinburghUKEH8 9AG
- University of GlasgowMRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit200 Renfield StreetGlasgowUKG2 3QB
| | - Josephine N Booth
- The University of EdinburghInstitute for Education, Community and SocietyMoray House School of EducationRoom 2.17, St John's LandEdinburghUKEH8 8AQ
| | - Yvonne Laird
- University of EdinburghScottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy (SCPHRP)20 West Richmond StreetEdinburghUKEH8 9DX
| | - John Sproule
- Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (SPEHS), University of EdinburghMoray House School of EducationHolyrood RoadEdinburghEH8 8AQUK
| | - John J Reilly
- University of StrathclydePhysical Activity for Health Group, School of Psychological Sciences and Health50 George StreetGlasgowUKG1 1QE
| | - David H Saunders
- University of EdinburghPhysical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC)St Leonards LandHolyrood RoadEdinburghMidlothianUKEH8 8AQ
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Martin A, Booth JN, Laird Y, Sproule J, Reilly JJ, Saunders DH. Physical activity, diet and other behavioural interventions for improving cognition and school achievement in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 1:CD009728. [PMID: 29376563 PMCID: PMC6491168 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd009728.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity is high. Lifestyle changes towards a healthy diet, increased physical activity and reduced sedentary activities are recommended to prevent and treat obesity. Evidence suggests that changing these health behaviours can benefit cognitive function and school achievement in children and adolescents in general. There are various theoretical mechanisms that suggest that children and adolescents with excessive body fat may benefit particularly from these interventions. OBJECTIVES To assess whether lifestyle interventions (in the areas of diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and behavioural therapy) improve school achievement, cognitive function (e.g. executive functions) and/or future success in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight, compared with standard care, waiting-list control, no treatment, or an attention placebo control group. SEARCH METHODS In February 2017, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and 15 other databases. We also searched two trials registries, reference lists, and handsearched one journal from inception. We also contacted researchers in the field to obtain unpublished data. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioural interventions for weight management in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. We excluded studies in children and adolescents with medical conditions known to affect weight status, school achievement and cognitive function. We also excluded self- and parent-reported outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Four review authors independently selected studies for inclusion. Two review authors extracted data, assessed quality and risks of bias, and evaluated the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We contacted study authors to obtain additional information. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Where the same outcome was assessed across different intervention types, we reported standardised effect sizes for findings from single-study and multiple-study analyses to allow comparison of intervention effects across intervention types. To ease interpretation of the effect size, we also reported the mean difference of effect sizes for single-study outcomes. MAIN RESULTS We included 18 studies (59 records) of 2384 children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. Eight studies delivered physical activity interventions, seven studies combined physical activity programmes with healthy lifestyle education, and three studies delivered dietary interventions. We included five RCTs and 13 cluster-RCTs. The studies took place in 10 different countries. Two were carried out in children attending preschool, 11 were conducted in primary/elementary school-aged children, four studies were aimed at adolescents attending secondary/high school and one study included primary/elementary and secondary/high school-aged children. The number of studies included for each outcome was low, with up to only three studies per outcome. The quality of evidence ranged from high to very low and 17 studies had a high risk of bias for at least one item. None of the studies reported data on additional educational support needs and adverse events.Compared to standard practice, analyses of physical activity-only interventions suggested high-quality evidence for improved mean cognitive executive function scores. The mean difference (MD) was 5.00 scale points higher in an after-school exercise group compared to standard practice (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 9.32; scale mean 100, standard deviation 15; 116 children, 1 study). There was no statistically significant beneficial effect in favour of the intervention for mathematics, reading, or inhibition control. The standardised mean difference (SMD) for mathematics was 0.49 (95% CI -0.04 to 1.01; 2 studies, 255 children, moderate-quality evidence) and for reading was 0.10 (95% CI -0.30 to 0.49; 2 studies, 308 children, moderate-quality evidence). The MD for inhibition control was -1.55 scale points (95% CI -5.85 to 2.75; scale range 0 to 100; SMD -0.15, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.28; 1 study, 84 children, very low-quality evidence). No data were available for average achievement across subjects taught at school.There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of physical activity interventions combined with healthy lifestyle education on average achievement across subjects taught at school, mathematics achievement, reading achievement or inhibition control. The MD for average achievement across subjects taught at school was 6.37 points lower in the intervention group compared to standard practice (95% CI -36.83 to 24.09; scale mean 500, scale SD 70; SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.93 to 0.58; 1 study, 31 children, low-quality evidence). The effect estimate for mathematics achievement was SMD 0.02 (95% CI -0.19 to 0.22; 3 studies, 384 children, very low-quality evidence), for reading achievement SMD 0.00 (95% CI -0.24 to 0.24; 2 studies, 284 children, low-quality evidence), and for inhibition control SMD -0.67 (95% CI -1.50 to 0.16; 2 studies, 110 children, very low-quality evidence). No data were available for the effect of combined physical activity and healthy lifestyle education on cognitive executive functions.There was a moderate difference in the average achievement across subjects taught at school favouring interventions targeting the improvement of the school food environment compared to standard practice in adolescents with obesity (SMD 0.46, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.66; 2 studies, 382 adolescents, low-quality evidence), but not with overweight. Replacing packed school lunch with a nutrient-rich diet in addition to nutrition education did not improve mathematics (MD -2.18, 95% CI -5.83 to 1.47; scale range 0 to 69; SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.72 to 0.20; 1 study, 76 children, low-quality evidence) and reading achievement (MD 1.17, 95% CI -4.40 to 6.73; scale range 0 to 108; SMD 0.13, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.61; 1 study, 67 children, low-quality evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Despite the large number of childhood and adolescent obesity treatment trials, we were only able to partially assess the impact of obesity treatment interventions on school achievement and cognitive abilities. School and community-based physical activity interventions as part of an obesity prevention or treatment programme can benefit executive functions of children with obesity or overweight specifically. Similarly, school-based dietary interventions may benefit general school achievement in children with obesity. These findings might assist health and education practitioners to make decisions related to promoting physical activity and healthy eating in schools. Future obesity treatment and prevention studies in clinical, school and community settings should consider assessing academic and cognitive as well as physical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josephine N Booth
- The University of EdinburghInstitute for Education, Community and SocietyMoray House School of EducationRoom 2.17, St John's LandEdinburghUKEH8 8AQ
| | - Yvonne Laird
- University of EdinburghScottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy (SCPHRP)20 West Richmond StreetEdinburghUKEH8 9DX
| | - John Sproule
- Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (SPEHS), University of EdinburghMoray House School of EducationHolyrood RoadEdinburghUK
| | - John J Reilly
- University of StrathclydePhysical Activity for Health Group, School of Psychological Sciences and Health50 George StreetGlasgowUKG1 1QE
| | - David H Saunders
- University of EdinburghPhysical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC)St Leonards LandHolyrood RoadEDINBURGHUKEH8 8AQ
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Booth JN, Tomporowski PD, Boyle JME, Ness AR, Joinson C, Leary SD, Reilly JJ. Obesity impairs academic attainment in adolescence: findings from ALSPAC, a UK cohort. Int J Obes (Lond) 2014; 38:1335-42. [PMID: 24614099 PMCID: PMC4189379 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2014.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 03/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While being overweight or obese in adolescence may have detrimental effects on academic attainment, the evidence base is limited by reliance on cross-sectional studies with small sample sizes, failure to take account of confounders and lack of consideration of potential mediators. The present study aimed to address these limitations and examine longitudinal associations between obesity in adolescence and academic attainment. DESIGN Associations between weight status at 11 years old and academic attainment assessed by national tests at 11, 13 and 16 years were examined in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Healthy weight was defined as body mass index (BMI) Z-score <1.04; overweight as BMI Z-score 1.04-1.63; obesity as BMI Z-score ⩾1.64. PARTICIPANTS Data from 5966 participants with objectively measured weight status were examined: 71.4% were healthy weight (1935 males; 2325 females), 13.3% overweight (372 males; 420 females) and 15.3% obese (448 males; 466 females). RESULTS Girls obese at 11 years had lower academic attainment at 11, 13 and 16 years compared with those of a healthy weight, even after controlling for a wide range of confounders. Associations between obesity and academic attainment were less clear in boys. The potential mediating effects of depressive symptoms, intelligence quotient (IQ) and age of menarche in girls were explored, but when confounders were included, there was no strong evidence for mediation. CONCLUSIONS For girls, obesity in adolescence has a detrimental impact on academic attainment 5 years later. Mental health, IQ and age of menarche did not mediate this relationship, suggesting that further work is required to understand the underlying mechanisms. Parents, education and public health policy makers should consider the wide reaching detrimental impact of obesity on educational outcomes in this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Booth
- School of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | - A R Ness
- University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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