ERIC Number: EJ1260497
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Aug
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Poverty Status Moderates the Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Academic Achievement
Pate, Russell R.; Clennin, Morgan; Shull, Emily R.; Reed, Julian A.; Dowda, Marsha
Journal of School Health, v90 n8 p630-640 Aug 2020
Background: The purpose of the study was to examine the associations among cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), weight status and academic achievement in youth, and to determine if these relationships are moderated by poverty status. Methods: The sample included 5th (N = 27,791) and 8th grade (N = 16,047) South Carolina students. Academic achievement was assessed using a state-wide assessment and classified into 2 categories (ie, does not meet/approaches standards vs meets/exceeds standards). CRF was assessed and expressed as Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) or Needs Improvement/Needs-Improvement-Health Risk. Students' demographics and poverty status were reported. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between CRF, weight status and academic achievement. Interaction terms were introduced into the final models. Analyses were performed separately by grade level and academic subject. Results: The CRF was significantly associated with the odds of meeting/exceeding academic standards after controlling for covariates and adjusting for weight status. The relationship between CRF and academic achievement varied significantly by poverty status. After adjustment for CRF, weight status was not significantly associated with academic achievement. Conclusions: The odds of achieving academic standards were significantly higher among students achieving CRF HFZ regardless of poverty status. CRF may partially mitigate the adverse effect of poverty on academic achievement.
Descriptors: Physical Fitness, Body Weight, Academic Achievement, Poverty, Grade 5, Grade 8, Student Characteristics, Correlation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools; Grade 8; Junior High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A