Association of overweight and obesity with decline in academic performance among female high-school students, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between overweight/obesity and future academic performance among high-school students in Saudi Arabia. This was a retrospective cohort study of 257 12th grade female students in Alabna (Ministry of Defence) high schools in Riyadh during 2013/14. Overweight/obesity was based on weight and height at 10th grade. Decline in academic performance was defined as a reduction by > 1 standard deviation in marks between 10th and 12th grades. One hundred and five students were overweight/obese and 30 had declined academic performance. Self-esteem scale was similar in both groups. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, study-related lifestyle and self-esteem, overweight/obesity was associated with declining academic performance. Other independent associates included paternal and maternal education, and living outside governmentally provided housing. We report a negative independent association between overweight/obesity and subsequent academic performance among female high-school students in Saudi Arabia. The results highlight the need for community and school programmes to target overweight/obesity among high-school students.

Prevalence and social determinants of overweight and obesity in adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review

“…All seven reports derived physical activity from questionnaires. Three out of the seven reports, 23,56,64 two in males and one in females, on the relation between physical activity and overweight and obesity in Saudi adolescents showed no statistically significant association between less physical activity per week and odds of overweight and obesity. Significant interstudy heterogeneity was noted (I 2 = 88%) owing to differences in evaluation parameters (Table 3) (Figure 5B).…”

“…On the other hand, a more negative influence of maternal higher education on increased child overweight is observed in lower economic status countries 106 . The association between mother education and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents was reported in nine studies 25,28‐30,41,51,62,64,65 (Table 3, Figure 5E). These indicated a statistically significant ( P = .04) positive association between mothers with the highest level of education and odds of overweight and obesity.…”

“…Fifty‐one studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the literature review. All these studies were observational studies, 50 were cross‐sectional 17–66 and one was a case‐control design 67 . Seventeen were published in national journals and 34 in international journals.…”

“…Changes in cortisol metabolism and/or psychosocial stress related to smoking might represent a possible explanation 88‐90 . Only one study 64 was reported about the association between smoking and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi adolescents (Table 3) was reported. Because of the small numbers in this study, the association between smoking and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi adolescents cannot be evaluated.…”

“…However, analysis of data from the 2011 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) demonstrates that prevalence patterns of adolescents with obesity by household income are less consistent by race 103 . The association between economic/social class and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents was reported in seven studies 25,28,30,31,51,64,65 (Table 3, Figure 5D). These studies indicated a statistically significant ( P = <.0003) positive association between higher economic/social class and odds of overweight and obesity.…”