Body Mass Index, Body Surface Area, Handedness, Visual Acuity, and Academic Performance among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iraq
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- 1 Erbil Teaching Hospital, and UKH School of Medicine, Erbil, Iraq
- 2 School of Medicine, University of Kurdistan, Erbil, Iraq
Abstract
Background: Academic performance is influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Previous studies have explored body mass index (BMI), visual acuity, and handedness as potential determinants of educational achievement, but the findings have been inconsistent. Evidence regarding body surface area (BSA) is particularly limited.
Objective: Assess the relation between BMI, BSA, handedness, visual acuity, and academic performance among university students.
Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted from October 17, 2023, to March 31, 2024, involving university students. Data were collected through questionnaires. Eligible participants were aged 18 to 24 years. Students with known medical conditions that directly affect visual acuity or BMI, those with documented learning or physical disabilities, and pregnant students were excluded. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were performed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel.
Results: Total 305 university students included, of whom 117 (38.4%) were male, and 188 (61.6%) were female. Majority of participants were right-handed and had a normal BMI. A weak but statistically significant negative correlation was found between BMI and academic performance (r=-0.143, p=0.012). In contrast, no statistically significant correlations were identified between academic performance and BSA (r=0.002, p=0.966), handedness (r=0.025, p=0.660), right-eye visual acuity (r=0.048, p=0.407), or left-eye visual acuity (r=0.083, p=0.149).
Conclusion: Weak but significant association between BMI and academic performance was found, while BSA, handedness, and visual acuity did not show significant associations with academic performance. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify causal pathways and examine potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity, and mental health.
Objective: Assess the relation between BMI, BSA, handedness, visual acuity, and academic performance among university students.
Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted from October 17, 2023, to March 31, 2024, involving university students. Data were collected through questionnaires. Eligible participants were aged 18 to 24 years. Students with known medical conditions that directly affect visual acuity or BMI, those with documented learning or physical disabilities, and pregnant students were excluded. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were performed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel.
Results: Total 305 university students included, of whom 117 (38.4%) were male, and 188 (61.6%) were female. Majority of participants were right-handed and had a normal BMI. A weak but statistically significant negative correlation was found between BMI and academic performance (r=-0.143, p=0.012). In contrast, no statistically significant correlations were identified between academic performance and BSA (r=0.002, p=0.966), handedness (r=0.025, p=0.660), right-eye visual acuity (r=0.048, p=0.407), or left-eye visual acuity (r=0.083, p=0.149).
Conclusion: Weak but significant association between BMI and academic performance was found, while BSA, handedness, and visual acuity did not show significant associations with academic performance. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify causal pathways and examine potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity, and mental health.