School Performance and Weight Status among Low-Income Canadian Children and Adolescents
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Date
2016-04
Authors
Lake, Stacey
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
Increasing health care costs combined with climbing rates of child
overweight and obesity are of significant concern worldwide, and
in particular, Canada. Existing evidence shows clear linkages between
child weight status and poorer health outcomes in adulthood, but
results are conflicting regarding the association between childhood
obesity and educational outcomes, which may mediate this relationship.
Our study therefore intended to explore relationships between school
performance and weight status and to determine predictive factors among
a cohort of disadvantaged children in the context of their ecological
environments. A Social Ecological Model (SEM) viewpoint employing
Social Cognitive Theory formed the basis of the approach taken, in the
context of the Child Development Framework which also describes
“development as a function of interaction” within several concentric layers
of environmental influence. Longitudinal data from the Better Beginnings
Better Futures (BBBF)research demonstration project from eight
low-income Ontario communities was used for this study. A total of
n=1014 cases were included from among the older cohort of children
aged 4 to 8 years at the start of the study. Child height and weight were
both self-reported, and measured according to established guidelines,
in grade 6 and 9, but were self reported in grade 12. Parents also self
reported height and weight.
Description
Keywords
health care , obesity , children , adolescents , overweight , low income , education