Effects of Health on Academic Performance Trajectories in Children: a Two-Year Follow-Up Study in Córdoba-Argentina

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of self-perceived health on the trajectories of academic performance (TAP) in children from Cordoba-Argentina, taking into account socioeconomic characteristics and intellectual capacity. A total of 494 children (mean = 9.5 years old) who attend public schools were followed-up from fourth to six grade to measure their TAP. Self-perceived health was measured at baseline using the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire, which provided information of ten health’s dimensions. Means and standard deviations of health scores at baseline were compared between TAP by calculating the effect size (ES) and logistic regression models were run to evaluate the effect of each dimension of health on children’s school outcomes. Lower average scores in almost all psychosocial dimensions of health corresponded to worse TAP. Children ‘self-perceived health at baseline showed more pronounced differences as more contrastive were TAP to each other. Self-perception, autonomy and school environment showed to have the most pronounced effects on TAP. Students with poorer psychosocial health showed a disadvantage as such students were more likely to get an educational risk TAP. These findings are important to develop nontraditional school achievement strategies potential to enhance both student health and academic achievement.