In:
Journal of School Health, Wiley, Vol. 84, No. 12 ( 2014-12), p. 769-776
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between adolescents' body mass index ( BMI ) z‐scores and their subsequent level of schooling, extending previous longitudinal research by using objectively measured weight and height data. METHODS A longitudinal study with 3 study waves (1‐year intervals) involving 1248 Dutch adolescents (49% girls; mean age = 13.7 years) at schools providing different educational levels was used to determine adolescents who moved and did not move to a lower educational level in the first year, or in the second year, and to examine whether this movement could be predicted by BMI z‐scores (zBMI), after controlling for a large range of potential confounding factors. RESULTS A total of 1164 Dutch adolescents continued in the same level of education, whereas 84 adolescents moved to a lower educational level (43 moved in the first and 41 in the second year). A higher zBMI significantly increased the risk of a general transition to a lower educational level, and of a transition in the first year, but not in the second year, after controlling for potential demographic, behavioral, and psychological confounds. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that a higher zBMI during adolescence immediately lowers educational achievement level during general secondary education.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-4391
,
1746-1561
DOI:
10.1111/josh.2014.84.issue-12
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2014
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2066647-0
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