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Associations between body mass index, physical activity, perceived school competence, and academic performance in Portuguese elementary students

2025Research article Open access
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datacite.subject.fosCiências Sociais::Ciências da Educação
datacite.subject.sdg04:Educação de Qualidade
dc.contributor.authorRebelo, Miguel
dc.contributor.authorSerrano, João
dc.contributor.authorHONÓRIO, SAMUEL
dc.contributor.authorSantos, Jorge
dc.contributor.authorMarques, Catarina
dc.contributor.authorSilva Batista, Marco Alexandre
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-05T12:48:49Z
dc.date.available2025-12-05T12:48:49Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionInformed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study. The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author due to data protection restrictions for minors.
dc.description.abstractBackground/Objectives: Childhood is a critical stage for consolidating health-related habits that shape physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. Regular physical activity has been linked to fitness and academic outcomes, while high body mass index (BMI) may hinder school performance. This study examined associations between BMI, perceived school competence, academic performance, and weekly physical activity volume in Portuguese elementary students, addressing a gap in national evidence compared with international studies. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was adopted with 531 children (M = 9.13 years) from 10 public schools. BMI was calculated from anthropometric measures, weekly physical activity was self-reported, perceived competence was assessed with Harter’s Self-Concept Scale (Cronbach’s α = 0.797), and academic performance was obtained from school records. Analyses included Pearson correlations, ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc, and multiple regression, with exact significance values reported. Results: Higher BMI was negatively associated with perceived competence and academic achievement, while regular physical activity, particularly 4–6 h per week, was linked to better results in Portuguese and mathematics. Associations were modest (r = 0.18–0.32; R2 = 0.12). Regression showed physical activity (β = 0.093, p = 0.033) and perceived competence (β = 0.126, p = 0.004) predicted academic performance, whereas BMI was not (β = −0.028, p = 0.524). The near-zero correlation with environmental studies suggests subject-specific influences. Conclusions: Adequate BMI and regular physical activity are associated with better academic performance. The role of perceived competence is theoretically inferred as a potential mediator, but not formally tested. Findings highlight the interplay of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors. Structured school-based activity programs of 4–6 h weekly may promote both health and learning.eng
dc.description.sponsorshipFCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia—Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal), within the scope of SPRINT—Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center [UID/6185/2023].
dc.identifier.citationREBELO, M. [et al.] (2025) - Associations between body mass index, physical activity, perceived school competence, and academic performance in Portuguese elementary students. Children. Vol. 12, n.º12, p. 1601. DOI: 10.3390/children12121601
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/children12121601
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/10390
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectPhysical activity
dc.subjectBody mass index
dc.subjectAcademic performance
dc.subjectAcademic competence
dc.subjectSchool-aged children
dc.titleAssociations between body mass index, physical activity, perceived school competence, and academic performance in Portuguese elementary studentspor
dc.typeresearch article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.issue12
oaire.citation.titleChildren
oaire.citation.volume12
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85
person.familyNameRebelo
person.familyNameSerrano
person.familyNameHONÓRIO
person.familyNameSantos
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person.familyNameSilva Batista
person.givenNameMiguel
person.givenNameJoão
person.givenNameSAMUEL
person.givenNameJorge
person.givenNameCatarina
person.givenNameMarco Alexandre
person.identifier2616899
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person.identifier.orcid0009-0003-3182-5486
person.identifier.orcid0000-0003-3318-2472
person.identifier.ridN-9104-2016
person.identifier.scopus-author-id57215091476
person.identifier.scopus-author-id57195137380
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