Physical activity and obesity mediate the association between childhood motor function and adolescents’ academic achievement

Kantomaa, Marko T.; Stamatakis, Emmanuel; Kankaanpää, Anna; Kaakinen, Marika; Rodriguez, Alina; Taanila, Anja; Ahonen, Timo; Järvelin, Marjo‐Riitta; Tammelin, Tuija

doi:10.1073/pnas.1214574110

Cited by 119 publications

(127 citation statements)

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“…Physical activity level was calculated in metabolic equivalent (MET) hours per week on the basis of a questionnaire on (1) light (assuming a value of 3 METs), (2) moderate to vigorous (5 METs), and (3) commuting from home to work or study and back (4 METs) physical activity. 26,27 Outcomes As a measure of short-term endurance capacity of the upper body and the ability to stabilize the trunk, the participants performed the 40-second modified push-up test. The participant lay prone on a mat, clasped hands behind his or her back, performed a straight-leg push-up with elbows completely straight in the vertical position, touched 1 hand on top of the supporting hand, and returned to the prone position to repeat the cycle.…”

Section: Clinical Examinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Fitness in Young Adults Born Preterm

et al. 2016

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Section: Clinical Examinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Fitness in Young Adults Born Preterm

et al. 2016

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“…8,10,11,27 Specifically, in this study, higher aerobic fitness mediated the positive association of selfreported PA and AA among all children. Interestingly, among girls, the direct association between self-reported PA and AA remained after the mediator aerobic fitness was added to the model but disappeared among boys.…”

Section: Jpah Vol 15 No 2 2018mentioning

confidence: 86%

“…5,6 The association of a physically active lifestyle with learning outcomes has also recently received considerable attention. Previous studies have suggested that excessive screen time 7,8 and excess adiposity 9,10 may predict poorer academic achievement (AA), whereas regular PA and higher aerobic fitness 11,12 benefit AA.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Relation of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Academic Achievement Is Mediated by Fitness and Bedtime

Syväoja¹,

Kankaanpää²,

Kallio³

et al. 2018

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

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Background: This study investigated the associations of subjectively and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior with academic achievement. We further examined whether aerobic fitness, obesity, and bedtime mediate these associations. Methods: This study included 970 children aged 9-15 years (52.3% girls) from 9 schools throughout Finland. Register-based academic achievement [grade point average (GPA)] as well as self-reported and accelerometer-measured PA/ sedentary behavior were assessed during spring 2013. Aerobic fitness (assessed via a maximal shuttle run test), body composition (assessed via bioimpedance analysis), and self-reported bedtime were collected. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the associations. Standardized regression coefficients are presented. Results: Self-reported PA had a direct positive [β = 0.084; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.023 to 0.145] and an indirect positive association with GPA through higher aerobic fitness (β = 0.061; 95% CI, 0.033 to −0.087). Accelerometer-based PA was not associated with GPA. Self-reported screen time had an indirect negative association with GPA through later bedtime (β = −0.071; 95% CI, −0.096 to −0.035) and lower aerobic fitness (β = −0.039; 95% CI, −0.059 to 0.019). Nonscreen sedentary time had a direct positive (β = 0.193; 95% CI, 0.101 to −0.289) and an indirect negative association with GPA through lower aerobic fitness (β = −0.040; 95% CI, −0.063 to −0.016). Conclusions: Participating in PA, avoiding excessive screen time, and going to bed earlier may benefit academic achievement.Keywords: academic performance, moderate to vigorous physical activity, screen time, sedentary time, adolescents Globally, children spend extensive amounts of time being sedentary, 1 and only one-third of children are physically active enough to gain health benefits. 2 Accompanying these trends, the rates of childhood overweight and obesity, along with poor fitness, are escalating. 3,4 These trends have raised concerns about the effects of a physically inactive lifestyle on children's health during maturation and across the lifespan, as physical activity (PA) continues to decrease and sedentary time (ST) continues to increase from childhood to adolescence and adulthood. 5,6 The association of a physically active lifestyle with learning outcomes has also recently received considerable attention. Previous studies have suggested that excessive screen time 7,8 and excess adiposity 9,10 may predict poorer academic achievement (AA), whereas regular PA and higher aerobic fitness 11,12 benefit AA.Sufficient sleep has also been related to better AA. 13,14 The periods of sleep, together with time spent in PA and sedentary behavior (SB), have been suggested to constitute a composite whole, as the time spent in one of these behaviors necessarily displaces time spent in another. 15 Although these behaviors are closely related to each other, the associations with AA have thus far been studied only in isolation or with a partial adjustment for ...

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“…This work provides support for the long-term benefits of regular physical activity on ADHD behaviors, emphasizing the importance of promoting physical education in schools, despite pressure to cut back to allow more time for academic classes. Physical inactivity, ADHD, and CD symptoms have all been linked with poor academic performance, [59][60][61] so the promotion of physical education and associated behavioral benefits may actually help to improve academic outcomes, as well as improving other mental and physical health outcomes in the longterm. Randomized controlled trials are desperately needed to examine whether physical activity could be used as a behavioral intervention in the treatment of ADHD and CD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…57 Physical inactivity has also been linked with both general mental health and scholastic difficulties in adolescents. 58,59 Considering the available evidence, it is possible to speculate that regular physical activity may alleviate ADHD symptoms over the long term.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Book forum

Sharma

2014

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psych

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Objective: To prospectively investigate the association and directionality between attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and obesity from childhood to adolescence in the general population. We examined whether obesogenic behaviors, namely, physical inactivity and binge eating, underlie the potential ADHD symptom-obesity association. We explored whether childhood conduct disorder (CD) symptoms are related to adolescent obesity/physical inactivity. Method: At 7 to 8 years (n ¼ 8,106), teachers reported ADHD and CD symptoms, and parents reported body mass index (BMI) and physically active play. At 16 years (n ¼ 6,934), parents reported ADHD symptoms; adolescents reported physical activity (transformed to metabolic equivalent of task [MET] hours per week) and binge eating; BMI and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were measured via clinical examination. Obesity was defined using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs for BMI and the 95th percentile cut-off for WHR. Results: Childhood ADHD symptoms significantly predicted adolescent obesity, rather than the opposite. Inattention-hyperactivity symptoms at 8 years were associated with indices of obesity at 16 years (obese BMI: odds ratio [OR] ¼ 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] ¼ 1.10-3.33; 95th percentile WHR: OR ¼ 1.71, 95% CI ¼ 1.05-2.78), adjusted for gender, baseline BMI, physical activity, family structure change, and maternal education. Child CD symptoms associated with indices of adolescent obesity. Reduced physically active play in childhood predicted adolescent inattention (OR ¼ 1.61, 95% CI ¼ 1.16-2.24). Childhood ADHD and CD symptoms were linked with physical inactivity in adolescence (inattentionhyperactivity; OR ¼ 1.60, 95% CI ¼ 1.20-2.13), but not binge eating. Physical inactivity mediated the associations. Conclusions: Children with ADHD or CD symptoms are at increased risk for becoming obese and physically inactive adolescents. Physical activity may be beneficial for both behavior problems and obesity. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2014;53(4):425-436.

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Physical activity and obesity mediate the association between childhood motor function and adolescents’ academic achievement

Cited by 119 publications

References 48 publications

Physical Fitness in Young Adults Born Preterm

Physical Fitness in Young Adults Born Preterm

The Relation of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Academic Achievement Is Mediated by Fitness and Bedtime

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