title: Relationship of nutrition and physical activity behaviors and fitness measures to academic performance for sixth graders in a midwest city school district.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To support curriculum and policy, a midwest city school district assessed the association of selected categories of nutrition and physical activity (NUTR/PA) behaviors, fitness measures, and body mass index (BMI) with academic performance (AP) for 800 sixth graders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students completed an adapted Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (NUTR/PA behaviors), fitness assessments (mile run, curl-ups, push-ups, height, and weight) with results matched to standardized scores (Measures of Academic Progress [MAP]), meal price status, and gender. Differences in mean MAP scores (math and reading) were compared by selected categories of each variable utilizing 1-way analysis of variance. Associations were determined by stepwise multiple regression utilizing mean MAP scores (for math and for reading) as the dependent variable and NUTR/PA behaviors, fitness, and BMI categories as independent variables. Significance was set at α = 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher MAP math scores were associated with NUTR (more milk and breakfast; less 100% fruit juice and sweetened beverages [SB]) and PA (increased vigorous PA and sports teams; reduced television), and fitness (higher mile run performance). Higher MAP reading scores were associated with NUTR (fewer SB) and PA (increased vigorous PA, reduced television). Regression analysis indicated about 11.1% of the variation in the mean MAP math scores and 6.7% of the mean MAP reading scores could be accounted for by selected NUTR/PA behaviors, fitness, meal price status, and gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many positive NUTR/PA behaviors and fitness measures were associated with higher MAP scores supporting the school district focus on healthy lifestyles. Additional factors, including meal price status and gender, contribute to AP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA. buildahealthyplate@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jane U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mauch
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Winkelman
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009658:North Dakota; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology