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Examining Attendance, Academic Performance, and Behavior in Obese AdolescentsDianne Yow Daniels, RN, PhD, is an assistant professor at Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer, NC Although academics and safety continue to rank as high-priority issues in public schools, educators and administrators are beginning to recognize the importance of student health on school success. This move toward a holistic approach suggests that efforts to improve a students physical, social, and emotional well-being are as important as efforts to increase test scores. Adolescent obesity is epidemic, and it is a complex integration of social, psychological, and physical factors that exacerbate the turbulent transitional years of adolescence. Adolescents are vulnerable to issues related to weight, and they are at risk for suffering obesitys negative effects, thereby resulting in unfortunate school outcomes such as decreased rates of attendance, poor academic performance, and school suspensions. Disparities related to overweight and obesity exist; therefore, the negative effects of obesity may disproportionately affect minorities and poor schoolchildren. Examining school outcomes for the overweight or obese adolescent is crucial and may provide valuable insight into constructive changes required for a responsive school environment.
Key Words: obesity school outcomes adolescent absenteeism self-esteem
The Journal of School Nursing, Vol. 24, No. 6,
379-387 (2008) |
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