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Long-Term Influences of Stunting, Being Underweight, and Thinness on the Academic Performance of Primary School Girls: The NW-CHILD Study

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  • Xonné Haywood

    (Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Focus Area, Faculty of Health Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa)

  • Anita Elizabeth Pienaar

    (School of Human Movement Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa)

Abstract

Poor socio-economic status contributes to undernutrition which, in turn, can increase the risk of academic underachievement. This study wants to determine if stunting, being underweight, and thinness show long term relations with academic performance in primary school girls aged 6 to 13 in the North West province of South Africa. A randomized and stratified longitudinal research design including a baseline and two time-point measurements over seven school years was used. The sample included girls aged 6 to 13 years ( N = 198) in the North West province of South Africa. Academic performance in the June school assessments and national and provincial assessments in grades 1, 4, and 7 were used to determine academic performance. Independent t -testing was used to determine differences between thinness, underweight and stunted girls as opposed to a reference group with no undernutrition indices. A repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni adjustment analyzed relations over time. Normal weight girls significantly outperformed stunted girls academically ( p < 0.05) over time. Stunting had prolonged and significant negative influences on language, mathematics, and grade point average ( p < 0.05). Early identification of undernutrition, especially stunting, is important for intervention and the implementation of timely prevention strategies, especially during early childhood years.

Suggested Citation

  • Xonné Haywood & Anita Elizabeth Pienaar, 2021. "Long-Term Influences of Stunting, Being Underweight, and Thinness on the Academic Performance of Primary School Girls: The NW-CHILD Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:8973-:d:622127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Johanna Beckmann & Christin Lang & Rosa du Randt & Annelie Gresse & Kurt Z. Long & Sebastian Ludyga & Ivan Müller & Siphesihle Nqweniso & Uwe Pühse & Jürg Utzinger & Cheryl Walter & Markus Gerber, 2021. "Prevalence of Stunting and Relationship between Stunting and Associated Risk Factors with Academic Achievement and Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Study with South African Primary School Childre," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Pauw, Kalie, 2005. "A Profile of the North West Province: Demographics, Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment," Background Paper Series 15614, PROVIDE Project.
    4. Makama Andries Monyeki & Adedapo Awotidebe & Gert L. Strydom & J. Hans De Ridder & Ramoteme Lesly Mamabolo & Han C. G. Kemper, 2015. "The Challenges of Underweight and Overweight in South African Children: Are We Winning or Losing the Battle? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Glewwe, Paul & Jacoby, Hanan G. & King, Elizabeth M., 2001. "Early childhood nutrition and academic achievement: a longitudinal analysis," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(3), pages 345-368, September.
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