F. Wang|Paul J. Veugelers
Self?esteem and cognitive development in the era of the childhood obesity epidemic
University of Alberta|University of Alberta
consequences obesity mental health cognitive development established degree chronic diseases study aims document interrelationships body weight selfesteem school performance childhood height weight measurements selfreport selfesteem diet quality physical activity 4945 grade 5 students linked standardized literacy test results structural equation models applied confirm hypothesized relationships body weight selfesteem school performance revealed body weight affected selfesteem negatively school performance affected selfesteem positively body weight affect school performance selfesteem affect neither body weight school performance subsequent multilevel logistic regression showed obese students relative normal weight students likely 144 95 ci 112184 students good school performance relative performing poor less likely 039 95 ci 026058 low selfesteem diet quality active living positive effects school performance selfesteem study findings establish obesity risk factor low selfesteem add rationale promote healthy eating active living among children youth prevent chronic diseases improve mental health cognitive development