A recent study has found that obesity does not affect academic results. The finding of the study is a breather for the fat kids and their parents. The study asserts that being overweight has no impact on academic brightness. The study asserts that being plump is not a major factor affecting children's educational performances.
The former studies had revealed that children with obesity are less likely to perform at school. However, Stephanievon Hinke Kessler Scholder from University of York says it is important to comprehend this important linkage.
"We sought to test whether obesity 'directly' hinders performance due to bullying or health problems, or whether kids who are obese do less well because of other factors that are associated with both obesity and lower exam results, such as coming from a disadvantaged family," Scholder states.
For this study researchers analyzed data from almost 4,000 members of the 'Children of the 90s Birth Cohort Study'. These data include the children's DNA. It is commonly known that genes are randomly allocated within a population, irrespective of factors such as socio-economic position, says a York statement.
"Based on a simple correlation between children's obesity as measured by their fat mass and their exam results, we found that heavier children did do slightly worse in school," Scholder says
"But, when we used children's genetic markers to account for potentially other factors, we found no evidence that obesity causally affects exam results. So, we conclude that obesity is not a major factor affecting children's educational outcomes," Scholder added
This finding, the researchers suggest is a positive thing. "Clearly there are reasons why there are differences in educational outcomes, but our research shows that obesity is not one of them," Scholder says.
--with inputs from IANS
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