Association between BMI and students’ performance Assignment PDF

Association between BMI and students’ performance in mathematics
Student ID
University

Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the association between BMI and the students’
performance in mathematics. General objective raised from the purpose of the study was to
determine the association between BMI and students’ performance in mathematics. The study
was guided by research question; “What is the association between BMI and students’
performance in mathematics?” Questionnaires were the research instruments used in collecting
data. SPSS version 20 was used in the analysis of data and generation of results output.
Descriptive statistics, independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were the statistical
tests conducted to in regards to meeting the study objectives. The results confirmed that there
was a negative effect of BMI on students’ performance in mathematics since there existed
negative correlation between the tested variables. Lastly, there was no mean difference between
male and female performance in mathematics as tested.

Introduction
Several examinations and studies have been carried out to test for the factors that affect students’
performance in school in various subjects. In resent research carried out by Florin, T. A., Shults,
J., & Stettler, N. (2011); Van et al (2011) in their results they found out that no correlation
existed between the BMI and the school performance of the students in most subjects except in
physics where dismal performance was showed by obese students compared to students who had
normal body weight. This study will deal particularly with association of the body mass index
(BMI) of the students to their performance in mathematics. Mathematics is one of the subjects
that involve numerical calculations and manipulations where most of the students pose to have
challenge in Kilpatrick (2014). Scientists had brought the formula for the calculations of the BMI
and their various ranges showing different health risks to human beings’ health where those with
BMI of (18.5 – 24.9) are healthy, BMI of (25 – 29.9) are overweight and finally BMI of 30 and
above are obese Van et al (2015). Technicality involved in mathematics subject was what drew
attention of conducting this research. Intelligence of the students in most cases had been tested
using their scores in various subjects’ examinations where students with higher performance in
all the subjects were perceived as the most intelligent as those with lower performance in the
same subjects were perceived less intelligent Victoroff, K. Z., & Boyatzis, R. E. (2013).
Research objectives
1. To determine the difference in male and female students performance in mathematics.
2. To determine whether there is relationship between BMI and students’ mathematics
performance.
Statement of the problem

This study was conducted to determine the association between the BMI of the students to their
mathematics performance in the school.
Significance of the problem
Critically addressing the stated problem will be of help to find if there was any association
between the BMI of the students and their performance in mathematics subject.
Research questions
1. Do male students perform better than the female students in mathematics?
2. Is there relationship between BMI of the students and the students’ performance in
mathematics?
Hypothesis
H0: There is no mean difference between male and female students’ performance in mathematics
H1: There is mean difference between male and female students’ performance in mathematics
H0: There is no correlation between BMI of the students and their mathematics performance
H1: There is correlation between BMI of the students and their mathematics performance
The above research questions were chosen to help build on the general research question thus
meeting the specific and general objectives of the study.
Methods
Research design