Association Between School Performance and Body Mass Index

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between grade point average and other factors, including: body mass index, exercise habits, and weight perception. Data from School-Based Health Promotion Centers (SBHC) were used for this study. Students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades were screened at the SBHC for a variety of behaviors and lifestyle characteristics using the Perkins Adolescent Risk Screen (PARS). Data from a total 579 students (281 males and 298 females; 278 sixth graders, 151 seventh graders, and 150 eight graders) were obtained. Of these students, 145 were underweight, with a BMI less than 18.5; 241 were normal weight, with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9; 100 were overweight, with a BMI between 25 and 29.9; and 93 were obese, with a BMI over 30. GPA and BMI were related (r = -0.446, p \u3c 0.01). To see if BMI and GPA differed depending on weight perception and exercise, t-tests were conducted. T-tests were also conducted to see if GPA differed depending on BMI category. There were significant (p \u3c 0.05) differences in GPA between the following groups: BMI under 25 vs BMI 25+, normal BMI vs abnormal BMI, exercise vs no exercise, and good weight perception compared to poor weight perception. These significant differences also existed when comparing males and females separately. There were also significant differences in BMI in exercise vs no exercise. Overall, a higher BMI related to a lower GPA. Lack of exercise and a poor weight perception were associated with a lower GPA