Summer News
June 2014
The Oliver Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine recently had one of their articles published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children.
Impact of Pediatric Obesity on Grades in Elementary School
Jennette P. Moreno, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics-Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicine
Tzu-an Chen, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine
Sandra A. Stansberry, University of Texas at Houston-Memorial Hermann Center for Healthcare Quality and Safety, University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Deborah Woehler, Cluthe & William B. Oliver Foundation
ABSTRACT
Objective:
The current study examines the relationship between obesity and academic performance among second grade students. We hypothesized that students who were overweight or obese would have poorer grades than students who were normal weight.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Setting:
Seven elementary schools from a southeast Texas Independent School District.
Participants:
The sample was composed of 798 ethnically and racially diverse elementary school children. Students were classified as normal weight, overweight, and obese.
Main Outcome Measures:
Differences in cumulative grades (math, science, and reading) across weight classifications were examined using sex, race/ethnicity, and school socioeconomic level as covariates. Additionally, all subject areas were analyzed independently.
Analysis:
Linear mixed models and follow-up pairwise comparisons.
Results:
The linear mixed model revealed significant differences in grades across weight classifications (p<.05).
Conclusions and Implications:
This study suggests that weight status is an important marker of scholastic success. Addressing overweight may bolster efforts to improve academic performance.
KEY TAKE AWAY POINTS
- The current study was conducted in order to further assess the relationship between weight status and grades in 2nd grade students.
- Our study indicates that academic performance, specifically math grades, is lower in obese students compared to students who are normal weight and overweight.
- Specifically, our study found that weight status was related only to academic performance regarding math but not reading or science.
- There may be both physiological and psychological explanations for these differences. Lower cardiovascular fitness, the Pygmalion effect, Golem effect, weight based discrimination, weight stigmatization and internalization of negative stereotypes are a few.
- The need for early intervention regarding pediatric obesity is highlighted by these findings.
Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board
Welcomes New Members
Summer Brown - First Colony Middle School, Fort Bend ISD
Sky Chen - GTA Quail Valley Middle School, Fort Bend ISD
Bradlee Few - The Kinkaid School
Annika Gandhi - Clements HS, Fort Bend ISD
Joseph Minkowitz - Emery Weiner School
Congratulations to our Graduating Seniors
Danielle Fournier: Bates College, Lewiston, ME
Sydney Fucci: St. John's University, New York City, NY
Brandi Gould: Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Cameron Markoff: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Fort Bend ISD's Gifted and Talented Mentorship Program
Danielle Fournier, Teen Board President Emeritus, presented her project,Improving Childhood Health through CATCH and Brighter Bites at the FBISD Gifted & Talented Mentorship Program Presentation on May 27, 2014. Danielle was one of 11 students selected to the Fort Bend ISD Gifted and Talented Mentorship Program during 2013-2014.
Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices Grant
Next Deadline July 15, 2014
Oliver Foundation
5535 Memorial Drive, Suite F, #256
Houston, Texas 77007
713-862-7899
sjbristow@oliverfoundation.org
www.oliverfoundation.org
