Fast Food Consumption and Academic Growth in Late Childhood. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Purtell, Kelly M.; Gershoff, Elizabeth T.
• Is Part Of: Clinical pediatrics. Volume 54:Number 9(2015)
• Page Start: 871
• Page End: 877
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: child development -- fast food -- academic achievement -- cognitive development; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1177/0009922814561742
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9228

Abstract

Objective . The objective of this study is to examine the associations between fast food consumption and the academic growth of 8544 fifth-grade children in reading, math, and science. Method . This study uses direct assessments of academic achievement and child-reported fast food consumption from a nationally representative sample of kindergartners followed through eighth grade. Results . More than two thirds of the sample reported some fast food consumption; 20% reported consuming at least 4 fast food meals in the prior week. Fast food consumption during fifth grade predicted lower levels of academic achievement in all 3 subjects in eighth grade, even when fifth grade academic scores and numerous potential confounding variables, including socioeconomic indicators, physical activity, and TV watching, were controlled for in the models. Conclusion . These results provide initial evidence that high levels of fast food consumption are predictive of slower growth in academic skills in a nationally representative sample of children.