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Health Education & Behavior
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Article

Health Behavior and Academic Achievement Among Adolescents: The Relative Contribution of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Body Mass Index, and Self-Esteem

Álfgeir Logi Kristjánsson, MS1, Inga Dóra Sigfúsdóttir, PhD1, and John P. Allegrante, PhD2*

1 Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis, School of Health and Education, Reykjavik University, Iceland
2 Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, and Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, NY

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jpa1{at}columbia.edu.


  Abstract
This study tested a structural equation model to estimate the relationship between health behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and self-esteem and the academic achievement of adolescents. The authors analyzed survey data from the 2000 study of Youth in Iceland, a population-based, cross-sectional sample of 6,346 adolescents in Iceland. The model demonstrated good fit with chi-square of 2685 (n = 5,810, df = 180), p < .001, Comparative Fit Index value of .94, and a root mean square error of approximation of .049. Lower BMI, physical activity, and good dietary habits were all associated with higher academic achievement; however, health behavior was positively and robustly associated with greater self-esteem. Self-esteem was positively influenced both through physical activity ({beta} = .16) and the consumption of fruits and vegetables ({beta} = .14). In contrast, poor dietary habits negatively influenced self-esteem and academic achievement, and self-esteem was negatively influenced by increasing levels of BMI ({beta} = -.05).

First published on June 9, 2008
Health Education & Behavior 2008, doi:10.1177/1090198107313481
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