Effects of daily energy expenditure on academic performance of elementary students in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to investigate the potential effects of daily energy expenditure on the academic performance (AP) of elementary schoolchildren, the results of which will be used as the basis of planning physical activity (PA) for children in the future.


METHODS
Participants were collected from 4th to 6th grade children at an elementary school in southern Taiwan. The effective sample data size was 1065 (79.8%; 528 boys and 537 girls). Daily mean energy expenditure was obtained using the 3 Day Physical Activity Recall (3-DPAR), and the intensive activities degrees of physical activity were categorized into lowest PA, middle PA, and highest PA group, and academic performance assessed with weighted academic score.


RESULTS
The significant effect on the academic performance of schoolchildren was only in energy expenditure but not for sexes and tutorials attended. All students in the middle PA group performed better academically than those in the highest PA group. After controlling sexes, male students in the middle PA group performed better than other groups; female students in the lowest PA group performed better than other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results may be consulted by schools, academic faculties, and parents in setting up exercise plans for children.
Kaohsiung Municipal Jhuang Jing Elementary School, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Peng-Sheng
PS
Wang
Yi-Ching
YC
Huang
Shu-Fang Vivienne
SF
Wu
Kuo-Ming
KM
Wang
D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D013624:Taiwan
energy expenditure; physical activity; school nurse; weighted score