Association of Anxiety with Cognition and Academic Performance in Overweight and Obese Adolescents - A Cross Sectional Study

Aims: To determine the correlation between cognitive and academic levels in anxious overweight/obese adolescents. Methods: The Spence Child Anxiety Scale (SCAS) was used to check the level of anxiety on 98 overweight/ obese adolescents aged 12-16 years. After meeting inclusion criteria participants were evaluated by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) for level of cognition and Academic Performance Rating Scale (APRS) for academic performance. Results: 5.10% of obese/overweight adolescents had moderate cognition, and 13.27% mild cognition. No significant association was seen in BMI and anxiety with cognition and academic performance, however, a positive correlation was seen between cognition and academic performance (p<0.05). Conclusion: Anxiety rates in overweight/obese adolescents are not directly proportional to levels of cognition and academic performance. However, age rise has a correlation with BMI rise and level of anxiety. The research showed that cognition levels are associated with academic performance.