Can weight predict academic performance in college students? An analysis of college women's self efficacy, absenteeism, and depressive symptoms as mediators
ABSTRACT Over a third of American college students are either overweight or obese, which has been suggested to negatively impact their academic achievement. Objective: This study seeks to better understand the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and grade point average (GPA) while examining potential mediators of this association. Participants and Methods: The sample consists of 298 college women who volunteered to complete online questionnaires between October and December 2014. Results: Although no significant differences were noted for sociodemographic variables, overweight and obese female students were found to report lower GPA and academic self efficacy as well as higher depressive symptoms, compared with their normal weight counterparts. Academic self efficacy partially mediated the relationship between BMI and GPA. Conclusions: To foster better academic achievement in female college students, and especially for those who are overweight and obese, strategies for improving self efficacy and adaptation to college should be implemented.
Journal of American college health J of ACH