Effect of Gender and Nutritional Status on Academic Achievement and Cognitive Function among Primary School Children in a Rural District in Malaysia
- Author:
Hamid Jan JM
;
Amal K Mitra
;
Hasmiza H
;
Pim CD
;
Ng LO : Wan Manan WM
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Academic performance, birth weight, cognitive function, gender, iron status
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2011;17(2):189-200
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between
gender, birth weight, nutritional status, and iron status of children with their
academic performance and cognitive function. Methods: Two hundred and fortynine
children, seven to nine years of age, were recruited by systematic sampling
from six primary schools in a rural area in Malaysia. Cognitive function was
assessed by using Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (R-CPM). Academic
performance of the children was recorded from their school final examination
results in four subjects including Malay language, English, Mathematics, and
Science. Birth weight was recorded from the birth certificate, and nutritional
status was determined by weight-for-age z score and height-for-age z score.
Results: Girls had a significantly higher score in all the academic tests, but a
lower cognitive score compared to boys. Nutritional status was found to be
correlated significantly with academic performance. Academic and cognitive
function scores were also found to be correlated significantly with birth weight,
parents’ education, and family income. In a multivariate analysis, gender
remained the significant predictor of academic function, and iron status and
haemoglobin were the significant predictors of cognitive function, after
controlling for other variables. Conclusion: The study showed that girls
performed better academically than boys in rural Malaysia. Nutritional status,
parents’ education and family income could be additional modifiable factors to
improve academic performance of the children. More attention is needed to
improve academic achievements of boys at their early school years.
- Full text:W020150714384279861151.pdf
