title: Leptin status in adolescence is associated with academic performance in high school: a cross-sectional study in a Chilean birth cohort.
abstract: Leptin is a pleiotropic hormone associated with learning and memory via brain receptors. However, elevated plasma leptin levels may impair cognitive and memory functions. Since individual differences in memory performance affect students' ability to learn, we aimed to study the relation between leptin status in adolescence and school performance.
  
  
  
  We studied 568 adolescents aged 16-17 years from Santiago. A cross-sectional analysis was carried out on a birth cohort conducted in Santiago (Chile).
  
  
  
  We measured serum leptin concentration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cut-offs from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) Study for 16-year-olds were used to define abnormally high leptin levels (hyperleptinaemia). Academic performance was measured using high-school grades and grade point average (GPA). Data were collected in 2009-2012; data analysis was performed in 2014.
  
  
  
  15% of participants had hyperleptinaemia. They had significantly lower school grades and GPA compared with participants with normal leptin levels (eg, GPA mean difference=33.8 points). Leptin levels were negative and significantly correlated with school grades in 9th, 10th and 12th. Similarly, it was negatively correlated with high-school GPA. After controlling for health, sociodemographic and education confounders, the chances of having a performance ≥75th centile in students having hyperleptinaemia were 32% (95% CI 0.19% to 0.89%) that of students having normal serum leptin concentration.
  
  
  
  In high school students, abnormally high levels of leptin were associated with poorer academic performance. These findings support the idea of a relationship between leptin and cognition. Further research is needed on the cognitive effects of leptin in younger populations.
authors: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Paulina
authors: P
authors: Correa-Burrows
authors: Child Development and Community Health Division, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors: Estela
authors: E
authors: Blanco
authors: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Marcela
authors: M
authors: Reyes
authors: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Marcela
authors: M
authors: Castillo
authors: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Patricio
authors: P
authors: Peirano
authors: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Algarín
authors: Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors: Betsy
authors: B
authors: Lozoff
authors: Child Development and Community Health Division, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors: Sheila
authors: S
authors: Gahagan
authors: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Burrows
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D066273:Diet, Western / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin
keywords: academic performance; adolescents; cognition; hyperleptinemia; leptin