A Longitudinal Examination of the Link between Youth Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement

Autor/inn/en	London, Rebecca A.; Castrechini, Sebastian
Titel	A Longitudinal Examination of the Link between Youth Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement
Quelle	In: Journal of School Health, 81 (2011) 7, S.400-408 (9 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-4391
DOI	10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00608.x
Schlagwörter	Achievement Gap; Obesity; Body Composition; Testing; Academic Achievement; Physical Fitness; Longitudinal Studies; Mathematics Achievement; English; Language Arts; Achievement Tests; Scores; Predictor Variables; Hispanic Americans; Gender Differences; Ethnicity; California + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Adipositas; Testdurchführung; Testen; Schulleistung; Leistungsfähigkeit; Longitudinal study; Longitudinal method; Longitudinal methods; Längsschnittuntersuchung; Mathmatics sikills; Mathmatics achievement; Mathematical ability; Mathematische Kompetenz; English language; Englisch; Sprachkultur; Achievement test; Achievement; Testing; Test; Tests; Leistungsbeurteilung; Leistungsüberprüfung; Leistung; Prädiktor; Hispanic; Hispanoamerikaner; Geschlechterkonflikt; Ethnizität; Kalifornien
Abstract	Background: Childhood obesity has been linked with other persistent health problems, but research is just beginning to examine its relationship with academic performance. This article tracks students longitudinally to examine the ways student physical fitness and changes in fitness align with school performance. Methods: Using matched administrative data and individual growth modeling, we examine the relationship between academic achievement and overall physical fitness longitudinally from fourth to seventh and sixth to ninth grades for students in a California community. Results: Comparing those who are persistently fit to those who are persistently unfit, we find disparities in both math and English language arts test scores. These academic disparities begin even before students begin fitness testing in fifth grade and are larger for girls and Latinos. Overall physical fitness is a better predictor of academic achievement than obesity as measured by body mass index. Socioeconomic status acts as a buffer for those who have poor physical fitness but strong academic performance. Conclusion: The findings indicate the presence of a physical fitness achievement gap that has consequences for potential students' future educational and health outcomes. This gap begins as early as fourth grade, which is before physical fitness testing begins in California. (Contains 2 figures and 3 tables.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10