Prevalence of Stunting and Relationship between Stunting and Associated Risk Factors with Academic Achievement and Cognitive Function
A Cross-Sectional Study with South African Primary School Children
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15465852 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Johanna Beckmann (0000-0002-3912-0128, University of Basel, corresponding author), Christin Lang (0000-0002-2532-9019, University of Basel), Rosa du Randt (0000-0003-1033-9908, Nelson Mandela University), Annelie Gresse (0000-0003-2147-7812, Nelson Mandela University), Kurt Z Long (0000-0002-8205-6571, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute), Sebastian Ludyga (0000-0002-3905-7894, University of Basel), Ivan Müller (0000-0002-6397-9979, University of Basel), Siphesihle Nqweniso (0000-0001-8793-9624, Nelson Mandela University), Uwe Pühse (0000-0003-1228-316X, University of Basel), Jürg Utzinger (0000-0001-6885-0798, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute), Cheryl Walter (0000-0001-8422-4105, Nelson Mandela University), Markus Gerber (0000-0001-6140-8948, University of Basel) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pages | 4218-4218 |
| Publication date | 2021-04-16 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph18084218 |
| PMID | 33923436 |
| OpenAlex | W3156010320 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 11 |
| References cited | 46 |
Childhood stunting can have negative long-term consequences on cognitive development, academic achievement, and economic productivity later in life. We determined the prevalence of stunting and examined whether stunting and associated risk factors (low dietary diversity, insufficient hemoglobin, food insecurity, and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections) are associated with academic achievement and cognitive function among South African children living in marginalized communities. A cross-sectional sample of 1277 children (aged 5-12 years) was analyzed. Stunting was defined according to 2007 WHO growth references. Cognitive functioning was measured with the computerized Flanker task and academic performance via school grades. Blood and stool samples were collected to obtain hemoglobin level and STH infection. Dietary diversity was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Associations were examined via mixed linear regression (with school class as a random intercept). Nine percent of the children were stunted (95% CI: 7.6-10.8%). Low dietary diversity (β = 0.13, p = 0.004), food insecurity (β = -0.12, p = 0.034), and stunting (β = -0.13, p = 0.031) were associated with poorer end of the year results among girls. No such associations were found among boys. No significant associations were found for socioeconomic status and hemoglobin levels. The prevalence of stunting and STH infections were low in the present sample. Risk factors seem differently associated with girls' and boys' academic achievement. Promoting nutrition may help to promote academic achievement among girls living in low- and middle-income countries
Academic achievement · Cognition · Cross-sectional study · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Psychiatry · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Public Health and Nutrition
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| Unique citing works | 11 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2,2 |
| Citation span | 2021 - 2026 (6) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 11 |