title: Long duration of stressful homework as a potential obesogenic factor in children: a QUALITY study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine for the first time whether stressful mental tasks are associated with an unfavorable anthropometric profile in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken in 511 children. A complete anthropometric profile was assessed, and children reported their homework duration and the presence/absence of stress related to schoolwork. Accelerometers and questionnaires provided the other profile of lifestyle components.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Homework duration was not related to adiposity indicators in children not stressed by schoolwork. In boys stressed by schoolwork, significantly higher total and trunk body fat percentages were obtained in the high versus low duration of homework group. No difference in adiposity indicators was present in boys not stressed by schoolwork and in girls. A reduced activity level and an increased screen time partly mediated the relationship between homework and anthropometric profiles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Boys with a high workload of homework, when combined with the presence of schoolwork-related stress, have unfavorable adiposity indicators. This study suggests that more attention should be paid to stressful mental work as a potent risk factor for obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Statistical Research and Innovation Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Sainte-Justine UHC Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Michaud
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chaput
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Loughlin
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Marie-Eve
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mathieu
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*