Abstract
Based on Embodied Cognition Theory, Inhibitory Decline Theory, and Risk Protective Factors Model, this study verified that body mass index (BMI) affects secondary school students’ academic performance through the mechanism of inhibitory control. In addition, it was verified that the strength of this mechanism depends on the teacher, parent, and peer support received by secondary school students. By using height and weight measurements, the classic stroop task, and the social support scale, 264 secondary school students in Shanxi Province, China, were surveyed and their academic performance was collected. The results showed that students with high BMI had poorer academic performance, and inhibitory control partially mediated the effect between BMI and academic performance, with the inhibitory control mediated effect accounting for 36.68% of the total effect. Support from teachers, parents, and peers can ameliorate the negative effects of BMI on academic performance, with teacher support and parental support also ameliorating the negative effects of BMI on inhibitory control. Thus, high BMI impairs inhibitory control and thus has a negative impact on academic performance, which can be buffered by social support.
Highlights
Body mass index (BMI), as an important indicator of an individual’s physical quality, is used to measure the total amount of body fat
This study found that teacher support, family support, and peer support all mitigate the negative effects of high BMI on academic achievement
This study found that teacher support, family support, and peer support did not mitigate the negative effects of low inhibitory control on academic achievement
Summary
Body mass index (BMI), as an important indicator of an individual’s physical quality, is used to measure the total amount of body fat. Adolescence is a period of rapid change in body composition (location and amount of body fat) and physical fitness, and obesity at this stage may lead to a variety of physical and mental health problems in adulthood. Obese adolescents may suffer from somatic symptoms, such as asthma, BMI and Academic Achievement fatigue, arthralgia and dyssomnia due to excess weight (Ronghua and Xiaonan, 2006), and present a range of risk factors for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer and musculoskeletal disorders (Afshin et al, 2017). Overweight obesity can impede normal SelfPerception and interpersonal interactions, and most obese adolescents have mental health problems highly associated with high-risk behaviors, such as low Self-Esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness (Paradise and Kernis, 2002). It has been found that children with high BMI have corresponding changes in gray matter volume in brain regions, such as the fusiform gyrus, postcentral gyrus and hippocampus, which severely affects cognitive function and is detrimental to high academic achievement (Migueles et al, 2021)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
