Not only are overweight kids at risk for a host of health problems, but a study of middle school students in suburban Philadelphia indicates they get lower grades, too. The Los Angeles Times summarizes:
The study, published in the July issue of the journal Obesity, also found that overweight students had lower reading comprehension scores on a nationally standardized test, ranking in the 66th percentile; normal-weight kids ranked in the 75th percentile. Heavier kids were also five times more likely to have six or more detentions than their normal-weight peers, had more school absences and lower physical fitness test scores, and were less inclined to participate on athletic teams — 37% compared with 75% of normal-weight students.
The lead author suspects the poor self-esteem of overweight kids may be a factor.
Just for historical perspective, studies were saying the same thing when I was a chubby 7th grader 40 years ago…