Longitudinal Evaluation of Aerobic Fitness and Academic Achievement Among Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

Research is emerging suggesting that fitness not only improves health, but enhances academic achievement in children. Many studies have found the strongest correlation with academic achievement to be aerobic fitness. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of aerobic fitness and academic ranking on the association between improvements in students' aerobic fitness and their academic achievement.

METHODS

Data were collected from 1152 second‐ through fifth‐grade students enrolled in 10 Midwestern schools. School‐fixed effects models were used to estimate the impact of improved aerobic fitness from the fall to the spring semester on students' spring percentile rankings in math and reading.

RESULTS

Students whose progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run improved from the fall to spring semester moved up the national spring math percentile rankings by 2.71 percentiles (p < .001) for all students, 4.77 (p < .001) for less‐fit students, and 3.53 (p < .05) for lower performing math students. No statistically significant relationship was found between improved aerobic fitness and reading achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving fitness could potentially have the greatest academic benefit for those elementary students who need it the most—the less fit and the lower academic performers.

     

The Relationship Between School-Based Health Centers,Rates of Early Dismissal From School,and Loss of Seat Time

BACKGROUND: This study sought to understand the relationship between school-based health centers (SBHCs) and academic outcomes such as early dismissal and loss of seat time (the time students are available in school to learn or to access support services). METHODS: A quasi-experimental research design was used to compare rates of early dismissal and loss of seat time between students who received SBHC and traditional school nursing services and students who received only traditional school nursing services. This study was a secondary data analysis of 764 “walk-in” visits during a 3-week period in 2 urban high schools in western New York state. Both schools provided school nursing services, and 1 of the 2 offered the option to enroll in an SBHC. RESULTS: SBHCs significantly reduced the number of early dismissals from school (p = .013) in a comparison with students who received school nursing services alone. Students not enrolled in an SBHC lost 3 times as much seat time as students enrolled in an SBHC. Race, gender, age, poverty status, and presence of a preexisting illness did not influence these findings. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that SBHCs have a direct impact on educational outcomes such as attendance. Recommendations for further research include replication of this study to increase confidence in its findings and using early dismissal and loss of seat time as indicators of attendance to measure other health outcomes related to SBHCs and school nursing.     

Associations Between School Recreational Environments and Physical Activity

Background:  School environments may promote or hinder physical activity in young people. The purpose of this research was to examine relationships between school recreational environments and adolescent physical activity.
Methods:  Using multilevel logistic regression, data from 7638 grade 6 to 10 students from 154 schools who participated in the 2005/06 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Survey were analyzed. Individual and cumulative effects of school policies, varsity and intramural athletics, presence and condition of fields, and condition of gymnasiums on students' self-reported physical activity (≥2 h/wk vs <2 h/wk) were examined.
Results:  Moderate gradients in physical activity were observed according to number of recreational features and opportunities. Overall, students at schools with more recreational features and opportunities reported higher rates of class-time and free-time physical activity; this was strongest among high school students. Boys' rates of class-time physical activity were 1.53 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-1.80) times as high at high schools with the most recreational features as at schools with the fewest. Similarly, girls' rates of free-time physical activity at school were 1.62 (95% CI: 0.96-2.21) times as high at high schools with the most opportunities and facilities as compared to schools with the fewest. Modest associations were observed between individual school characteristics and class-time and free-time physical activity.
Conclusions:  Taken together, the cumulative effect of school recreational features may be more important than any one characteristic individually.     

Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness Without Exercise Testing or Physical Activity Status in Healthy Adults: Regression Model Development and Validation

BackgroundLow cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. Most health care settings use some type of electronic health record (EHR) system. However, many EHRs do not have CRF or physical activity data collected, thereby limiting the types of investigations and analyses that can be done.ObjectiveThis study aims to develop a nonexercise equation to estimate and classify CRF (in metabolic equivalent tasks) using variables commonly available in EHRs.MethodsParticipants were 42,676 healthy adults (female participants: n=9146, 21.4%) from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study examined from 1974 to 2005. The nonexercise estimated CRF was based on sex, age, measured BMI, measured resting heart rate, measured resting blood pressure, and smoking status. A maximal treadmill test measured CRF.ResultsAfter conducting nonlinear feature augmentation, separate linear regression models were used for male and female participants to calculate correlation and regression coefficients. Cross-classification of actual and estimated CRF was performed using low CRF categories (lowest quintile, lowest quartile, and lowest tertile). The multiple correlation coefficient (R) was 0.70 (mean deviation 1.33) for male participants and 0.65 (mean deviation 1.23) for female participants. The models explained 48.4% (SE estimate 1.70) and 41.9% (SE estimate 1.56) of the variance in CRF for male and female participants, respectively. Correct category classification for low CRF (lowest tertile) was found in 77.2% (n=25,885) of male participants and 74.9% (n=6,850) of female participants.ConclusionsThe regression models developed in this study provided useful estimation and classification of CRF in a large population of male and female participants. The models may provide a practical method for estimating CRF derived from EHRs for population health research.     

Weight status, physical activity, and fitness among third-grade rural children

BACKGROUND: Rural children are at a particular high risk for obesity. Given the importance of exercise in obesity and chronic disease prevention, this study evaluated the level and relationship between physical activity and fitness in a sample of rural third graders. The second purpose of the study was to determine potential differences in physical activity and fitness level by weight status in this sample. METHODS: Twelve schools participating in a multidisciplinary research project were randomly selected for the study. Body mass index‐for‐age percentile, the modified Self‐administered Physical Activity Checklist, and the FITNESSGRAM battery tests were utilized to determine children's weight status, physical activity, and fitness level, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty‐eight percent of the 237 participating children (9.2 ± 0.4 years) were overweight or obese. Nearly 15% were extremely obese. Children spent 91.8 ± 83.8 and 32.2 ± 47.7 minutes in moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity activities. Obese children spent less time in moderate‐intensity activity (p < .01) and combined moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity activity more than other children (p < .05). Forty‐three percent of all children failed to meet the fitness standard for muscular strength and 36% failed to meet it for flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Rural children in this sample had higher rates of obesity compared to the national average; they had poor fitness and 30% failed to meet the minimum physical activity recommendations on the previous day. Future interventions should focus on increasing physical activity, especially of moderate‐intensity, and improving physical fitness in order to reduce obesity and decrease the risk of future chronic diseases in this high‐risk population.     

School wellness policies: perceptions, barriers, and needs among school leaders and wellness advocates

BACKGROUND: School wellness policies are a key component to the prevention of adolescent obesity. This national research study sought to understand the wellness environment in school districts across the country and to identify challenges districts face and needs they have in order to effectively implement, monitor, and evaluate school wellness policies. The study determined (1) perceptions, barriers, and opportunities regarding the development, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of school wellness policies among school board members, state school boards association leaders, state public health nutrition directors, and school wellness advocates; (2) the readiness and capacity of survey groups to address nutrition and physical activity policies; (3) the extent to which survey groups collaborate; and (4) the acceptability of wellness tools. METHODS: In 2006, over 2900 individuals participated in online surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews. School board members represented 1296 school districts across the nation. RESULTS: School board members expressed the highest level of confidence among all survey groups that their district has the capacity to develop, implement, and monitor/ evaluate the wellness policy. The disparities among groups are most notable with regard to perceptions of district capacity to monitor/evaluate the policy. School board members are interested in school wellness policy tools and trainings. CONCLUSIONS: There is an opportunity for state school boards associations, state public health nutrition directors, and school wellness advocates to build their own capacity to provide training and resources to districts on wellness issues, particularly physical education/activity, school-based wellness initiatives, and strategies for implementing and monitoring/evaluating wellness policies.     

Relationships Between Youth Sport Participation and Selected Health Risk Behaviors From 1999 to 2007

BACKGROUND: How adolescents spend their out-of-school time represents one of the most important factors for predicting positive youth development. Sport participation relates to many beneficial outcomes. However, current economic conditions threaten high school sport programs around the United States. This investigation examined relationships by year between sport participation and numerous health risk behaviors among high school students. METHODS: Data were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Surveys administered every 2 years from 1999 through 2007. Items assessed were sport participation, vigorous physical activity, dietary habits, weight loss, sexual activity, interpersonal violence and suicidality, and substance use. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine relationships between sport participation and each health behavior. Interaction effects tested whether relationships varied by year, sex, age, and/or race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Analyses revealed some consistencies across years in relationships between sport participation and health risk behaviors for both sexes. However, most relationships varied by race/ethnicity. Among White students, sport participation related to multiple positive health behaviors. Conversely, African American, Hispanic, and Other athletes showed fewer positive health behaviors and some negative behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that participation in organized sports affords many health benefits to most adolescents, but relates to some negative health behaviors in certain subgroups. Information regarding sport participation and health risk behaviors among subgroups across years can inform school policy, practice, and future research.     

A Longitudinal Study of Childhood Obesity, Weight Status Change, and Subsequent Academic Performance in Taiwanese Children

BACKGROUND: This study examined the association among childhood obesity, weight status change, and subsequent academic performance at 6-year follow-up. METHODS: First-grade students from one elementary school district in Taichung City, Taiwan were followed for 6 years (N = 409). Academic performance was extracted from the school records at the end of each grade. Weight and height were measured at the beginning of each grade. A weight change variable was created based on each child's weight status difference at grades 1 and 6. A multivariate linear regression model for predicting academic performance at grade 6 was developed with adjustment for individual characteristics and family factors. A latent growth curve (LGC) showed the association between changes in body mass index (BMI) and in academic performance across a 6-year period. RESULTS: BMI in children increased significantly across 6 years. The rate of increase in BMI over 6 years was higher for children with higher baseline BMIs than it was for children with lower baseline BMIs. However, BMI changes were not significantly associated with changes of academic performance. CONCLUSION: There was no significant relationship between initial obesity or change in weight status and subsequent academic performance. It appears that either being or becoming overweight/obese did not impact academic achievement for these Taiwanese children.     

Associations Among Food Insecurity,Academic Performance,and Weight Status in Primary Schoolchildren in Tehran,Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective

To examine the associations among household food insecurity (FI), academic performance, and weight status in urban primary schoolchildren.