Relationship between Overweight and Obesity Prevalence and School Proficiency, Performance and Satisfaction Scores among Hawaii Children Entering Public Schools

Abstract

Background: Previous research suggests that overweight/obese children entering schools in Hawaii are more likely to live in communities with higher proportions of families with low educational attainment, higher poverty, unemployment and government assistance. Purpose: Although studies have highlighted the association between neighborhood structural factors and childhood overweight/obesity, any role between childhood overweight/obesity and educational performance factors remains unclear. Methods: Hawaii public school data were obtained, specifically (1) the proportion of students in 2007-2008 who were overweight/obese (among 12,823 students between ages 4-5 who entered 204 public elementary schools at that time) and (2) average school performance scores on educational performance indicators (math and reading proficiency, school performance, and parent, student and teacher satisfaction (positive responses on school quality indicators). Information for each school was entered into a database and correlational analyses were conducted. Results: Overall school performance scores were moderately correlated with proportion of overweight and obese students (Pearson’s r=.507, p<.001). Specifically, schools with lower average performance scores had higher rates of childhood overweight/obesity. Conclusions: Since many children who are entering public schools are already overweight/obese, the findings suggest that educational performance factors measured may be reflective of the community structural factors (social determinants, socio-economic conditions etc.) that are related to overweight/obesity. Addressing community structural factors, including socio-economic conditions, will be important in effectively addressing pediatric obesity.