ERIC Number: EJ876987
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1981
EISSN: N/A
Health Behavior and Academic Achievement among Adolescents: The Relative Contribution of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Body Mass Index, and Self-Esteem
Kristjansson, Alfgeir Logi; Sigfusdottir, Inga Dora; Allegrante, John P.
Health Education & Behavior, v37 n1 p51-64 2010
This study tested a structural equation model to estimate the relationship between health behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and self-esteem and the academic achievement of adolescents. The authors analyzed survey data from the 2000 study of "Youth in Iceland", a population-based, cross-sectional sample of 6,346 adolescents in Iceland. The model demonstrated good fit with chi-square of 2685 (n = 5,810, df = 180), p less than 0.001, Comparative Fit Index value of 0.94, and a root mean square error of approximation of 0.049. Lower BMI, physical activity, and good dietary habits were all associated with higher academic achievement; however, health behavior was positively and robustly associated with greater self-esteem. Self-esteem was positively influenced both through physical activity ([beta] = 0.16) and the consumption of fruits and vegetables ([beta] = 0.14). In contrast, poor dietary habits negatively influenced self-esteem and academic achievement, and self-esteem was negatively influenced by increasing levels of BMI ([beta] = -0.05). (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Body Composition, Physical Activities, Academic Achievement, Health Behavior, Adolescents, Eating Habits, Physical Activity Level, Self Esteem, Self Concept, Structural Equation Models, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Iceland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A