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

  • 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
Published
2011-06-04
How to Cite
Wingfield, R., Graziano, P., McNamara, J., & Janicke, D. (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
Articles
Authors hold the copyright to articles published in Current Issues in Education. Requests to reprint CIE articles in other journals should be addressed to the author. Reprints should credit CIE as the original publisher and include the URL of the CIE publication. Permission is hereby granted to copy any article, provided CIE is credited and copies are not sold.