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Aerobic fitness, micronutrient status, and academic achievement in Indian school-aged children.

ABSTRACT: Aerobic fitness has been shown to have several beneficial effects on child health. However, research on its relationship with academic performance has been limited, particularly in developing countries and among undernourished populations. This study examined the association between aerobic fitness and academic achievement in clinically healthy but nutritionally compromised Indian school-aged children and assessed whether micronutrient status affects this association. 273 participants, aged 7 to 10.5 years, were enrolled from three primary schools in Bangalore, India. Data on participants' aerobic fitness (20-m shuttle test), demographics, anthropometry, diet, physical activity, and micronutrient status were abstracted. School-wide exam scores in mathematics and Kannada language served as indicators of academic performance and were standardized by grade level. The strength of the fitness/achievement association was analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation, multiple variable logistic regression, and multi-level models. Significant positive correlations between aerobic capacity (VO2 peak) and academic scores in math and Kannada were observed (P < 0.05). After standardizing scores across grade levels and adjusting for school, gender, socioeconomic status, and weight status (BMI Z-score), children with greater aerobic capacities (mL * kg(-1) * min(-1)) had greater odds of scoring above average on math and Kannada exams (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.15 and OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.18, respectively). This association remained significant after adjusting for micronutrient deficiencies. These findings provide preliminary evidence of a fitness/achievement association in Indian children. While the mechanisms by which aerobic fitness may be linked to academic achievement require further investigation, the results suggest that educators and policymakers should consider the adequacy of opportunities for physical activity and fitness in schools for both their physical and potential academic benefits.

SUBMITTER: Desai IK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4373687 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Aerobic fitness, micronutrient status, and academic achievement in Indian school-aged children.

Desai Ishaan K IK Kurpad Anura V AV Chomitz Virginia R VR Thomas Tinku T

PloS one 20150325 3

Aerobic fitness has been shown to have several beneficial effects on child health. However, research on its relationship with academic performance has been limited, particularly in developing countries and among undernourished populations. This study examined the association between aerobic fitness and academic achievement in clinically healthy but nutritionally compromised Indian school-aged children and assessed whether micronutrient status affects this association. 273 participants, aged 7 to ...[more]

PMID: 25806824

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Project description:Background:Good nutrition and physical activity of school-aged children are important for ensuring optimum growth and reducing obesity. This present study assessed associations between breakfast consumption, BMI-for-Age (BMI) and physical fitness in a cross-section of school-aged children attending government-owned primary schools in Kumasi, Ghana. Method:The sample consisted of 438 pupils (boys?=?213; girls?=?225; mean age 11.1?±?1.1), attending 10 randomly selected schools. Weight (kg), height (cm) and Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) were measured for each participant, and BMI-for-age z-scores determined using the World Health Organisation (WHO) anthroplus software. Participants were stratified into thinness, normal weight, overweight/obese using WHO cut offs. Physical fitness was assessed using forward jump, left and right handgrips, flexibility, sit-ups and 50?metre run following standard procedures and converted to scores of 1 to 10 following Japanese standards, based on which percentiles were derived. Total fitness score for each pupil was computed by adding all scores. A questionnaire was used to assess meal intake patterns. Results:The mean BMI-for-age z-score for participants was -?0.24?±?0.99. Thinness, normal weight and overweight/obesity were 2.7, 86.5, and 10.5% respectively among the pupils. Overweight was higher in girls (14.2%) compared to boys (4.2%), p?=?0.003. Similarly, mean MUAC was significantly (p?=?0.021) higher in the girls (22.0 ± 3.2?cm) than the boys (20.7 ± 7.3?cm). For physical fitness, the girls scored higher in forward jump (p?<?0.0001), 50-m run (p?=?0.002) and overall fitness score than the boys (21.0?±?6.2 versus 19.2?±?8.3, p?=?0.012). However, a larger proportion of boys performed excellently and poorly than girls (p?=?0.019). A positive correlation was observed between BMI z-score and hand grip (r =?0.21, p?<?0.001), while sit up (r =?-?0.11, p?=?0.018) showed a negative correlation with BMI z-score. No other fitness test varied by BMI. Overweight children performed best in handgrip. Majority of children said they engaged in exercise (89.9%) and consumed breakfast (78.9%). Breakfast consumption was not associated with BMI z-score (x2 0.0359, p?=?0.549) but non-breakfast consumers performed better in 50?m run compared to consumers (7.0 seconds?±?2.3 vrs 6.3 seconds?±?2.5, p?=?0.022). Children who reported to exercise were physically fitter than those who did not. Conclusion:Underweight levels were low while overweight was over 10% in these children. Girls were more than 3 times affected by overweight than boys, and were also physically fitter than boys. Breakfast consumption was not related to weight or fitness.

Dataset Information

Aerobic fitness, micronutrient status, and academic achievement in Indian school-aged children.

Publications

Aerobic fitness, micronutrient status, and academic achievement in Indian school-aged children.

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