The Impacts of Childhood Obesity on Academic Achievement: Evidence From Genetically Informed Methods

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Academic Achievement Gaps (Table 28)

Abstract

Is childhood obesity linked with educational outcomes? Childhood obesity may lead to stigma, social isolation, and declines in student engagement with school. As such, childhood obesity has become one of the most pressing public health concerns in many developed nations. Despite the widespread belief, however, robust empirical evidence on the link between the childhood obesity and academic achievement remains scarce. To address this issue, we exploit the unique characteristics of the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Birth Cohort, which is linked to genetic data. Using genetic variants as an instrument variable, we show that childhood obesity affects reading and math achievement among children, even in the social contexts characterized by egalitarian and redistributive values and strong welfare systems.

Authors

• Baeksan Yu, Gwangju National University of Education

• Henrik Zachrisson, University of Oslo

• Rosa Cheesman, University of Oslo

• Eivind Ystrøm, University of Oslo

• Ragnhild Bang Nes, University of Oslo