The Effects of Adolescent Health-Related Behavior on Academic Performance
The Effects of Adolescent Health-Related Behavior on Academic Performance
 
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The Effects of Adolescent Health-Related Behavior on Academic Performance
A Systematic Review of the Longitudinal Evidence

Published in:
Review of Educational Research
Published Online First, January 7, 2014
  1. Vincent Busch, University Medical Center Utrecht

  3. Anne Loyen, University Medical Center Utrecht

  5. Mandy Lodder, University Medical Center Utrecht

  7. Augustinus J. P. Schrijvers, University Medical Center Utrecht

  9. Tom A. van Yperen, State University Groningen

  11. Johannes R. J. de Leeuw, University Medical Center Utrecht

Abstract

Schools are increasingly involved in efforts to promote health and healthy behavior among their adolescent students, but are healthier students better learners? This synthesis of the empirical, longitudinal literature investigated the effects of the most predominant health-related behaviors—namely, alcohol and marijuana use, smoking, nutrition, physical activity, sexual intercourse, bullying, and screen time use (television, Internet, video games)—on the academic performance of adolescents. Thirty studies dating back to 1992 were retrieved from the medical, psychological, educational, and social science literature. Healthy nutrition and team sports participation were found to have a positive effect on academic performance, whereas the effects of alcohol use, smoking, early sexual intercourse, bullying, and certain screen time behaviors were overall negative. Generally, all relations of health-related behaviors and academic performance were dependent on contextual factors and were often mediated by psychosocial problems, social structures, and demographics. Findings were interpreted with use of sociological theories.

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