Is there a Relationship between Body Mass Index, Fitness, and Academic Performance? Mixed Results from Students in a Southeastern United States Elementary School

Authors

  • Robert Joshua Wingfield University of Florida
  • Paulo A. Graziano Florida Internation University
  • Joseph P.H. McNamara University of Florida
  • David M. Janicke University of Florida

Keywords:

obesity, overweight, physical education, President’s Challenge, FCAT, fitness

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between body mass index (BMI), physical fitness, and academic performance in elementary school students. Specifically, BMI and scores on the Presidentâs Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program, a physical fitness test, were compared to reading and mathematics scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), a standardized norm-referenced academic achievement measure. Participants included 132 4th and 5th grade students from a k-12 school located in North Central Florida. Results revealed that BMI and physical fitness were correlated with academic performance for 5th grade females. In addition, there was a significant and negative association found between BMI and physical fitness across grade level and sex.

Author Biographies

Robert Joshua Wingfield, University of Florida

Doctoral Student College of Education School Psychology Program

Paulo A. Graziano, Florida Internation University

Postdoctoral Fellow Center for Children and Families Florida International University

Joseph P.H. McNamara, University of Florida

Assistant Professor Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry

David M. Janicke, University of Florida

Associate Professor Department of Clinical & Health Psychology

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Published

2011-06-04

How to Cite

Wingfield, R. J., Graziano, P. A., McNamara, J. P., & Janicke, D. M. (2011). Is there a Relationship between Body Mass Index, Fitness, and Academic Performance? Mixed Results from Students in a Southeastern United States Elementary School. Current Issues in Education, 14(2). Retrieved from https://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/727

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2011)

Section

Spring/Fall Issue

License

Authors retain copyright without restrictions. Unless otherwise indicated, from 2021 all articles are published under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA license. For more information visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. Articles published prior to 2021 used a CC-BY-NC-SA license.