CORRELATION OF BODY MASS INDEX AND LIFESTYLE PATTERNSWITH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AL MADINAH, KSA: A POPULATION-BASED STUDY

ABSTRACT Background: Obesity and unhealthy lifestyles have been linked to low academic performance. Aim: To define the prevalence of obesity and unhealthy lifestyle patterns among female high school students and investigate their association with students' academic achievement. Methods:This analytical cross section study involved 205 female high school students in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Data collection included personal data, student's grade point average (GPA), dietary habits, body weight and height. Physical activity was assessed using the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey "ADNFS" and quality of sleep was measured using the Arabic form of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI). Stress was measured using the Arabic version of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results: Nearly 30% of the students were underweight, 53.7% normal weight, 11.2% overweight and only 4.9% obese. Only 13.2% eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily and 29.3% never eat breakfast. Only 10.2 % reported good quality sleep and 44.8% reported nil physical activity. Insignificant negative correlation exists between BMI (r =-.002), Perceived stress scale score (r =-.073), and Sleep quality score (r =-.071) with students' GPA. Predictors of lower students' GPA were being in a governmental school (p=0.041) and tobacco smoking (p=0.004). Conclusion: Underweight is prevalent among students unlike obesity. Low quality sleep and nil physical exercise and low intake of daily vegetable and fruits are also common problems. An awareness program is required to improve diet and lifestyle patterns of students. Further research is needed to investigate underlying factors for underweight and unhealthy life styles among students.