Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India

Background: Anemia and poor physical growth during adolescence have far-ranging consequences, but limited longitudinal evidence exists on how changes in these factors relate to changes in learning skills as adolescents mature. Objectives: We examined the association between changes in anemia and phy...

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Autores principales: Nguyen, Phuong Hong, Walia, Monika, Pant, Anjali, Menon, Purnima, Scott, Samuel P.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/141314
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author Nguyen, Phuong Hong
Walia, Monika
Pant, Anjali
Menon, Purnima
Scott, Samuel P.
author_browse Menon, Purnima
Nguyen, Phuong Hong
Pant, Anjali
Scott, Samuel P.
Walia, Monika
author_facet Nguyen, Phuong Hong
Walia, Monika
Pant, Anjali
Menon, Purnima
Scott, Samuel P.
author_sort Nguyen, Phuong Hong
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Background: Anemia and poor physical growth during adolescence have far-ranging consequences, but limited longitudinal evidence exists on how changes in these factors relate to changes in learning skills as adolescents mature. Objectives: We examined the association between changes in anemia and physical growth during adolescence and learning outcomes. Methods: We used longitudinal data from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA) project, which surveyed adolescents aged 10–19 years in northern India in 2015–16 and 2018–19 (n = 5963). We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models to examine associations between changes in anemia/thinness/stunting status (four groups: never, improved, new, and persistent) and reading (ability to read a story) and math proficiency (ability to solve division problems) at follow-up. Results: Persistent anemia and stunting were higher among girls than boys (46% vs.8% and 37% vs. 14%, respectively), but persistent thinness was lower (7% vs. 16%). Improvement in anemia, thinness and stunting was 1.4–1.7 times higher among boys than girls. Boys who were anemic in both waves were 74% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI)]: 0.12,0.59) and 65% (AOR 0.35, 95%CI: 0.16,0.76) less likely to be able to read a story and solve division problems, respectively, compared to boys who were non-anemic in both waves. Persistent thinness in boys was negatively associated with both reading (AOR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21,0.66) and math proficiency (AOR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.16,0.46). Persistent stunting contributed to lower reading and math proficiency in boys and girls (AORs: 0.29 to 0.46). Boys whose anemia or thinness status improved and girls whose stunting status improved had similar learning skills at follow-up as those who were never anemic/thin/stunted. Conclusions: Persistent anemia, thinness and short stature during adolescence was associated with poor learning. Programs targeted at adolescents should contribute to nurturing environments that foster healthy growth and learning.
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spelling CGSpace1413142025-10-26T13:01:10Z Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India Nguyen, Phuong Hong Walia, Monika Pant, Anjali Menon, Purnima Scott, Samuel P. anaemia education adolescents mathematics anthropometry learning stunting Background: Anemia and poor physical growth during adolescence have far-ranging consequences, but limited longitudinal evidence exists on how changes in these factors relate to changes in learning skills as adolescents mature. Objectives: We examined the association between changes in anemia and physical growth during adolescence and learning outcomes. Methods: We used longitudinal data from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA) project, which surveyed adolescents aged 10–19 years in northern India in 2015–16 and 2018–19 (n = 5963). We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models to examine associations between changes in anemia/thinness/stunting status (four groups: never, improved, new, and persistent) and reading (ability to read a story) and math proficiency (ability to solve division problems) at follow-up. Results: Persistent anemia and stunting were higher among girls than boys (46% vs.8% and 37% vs. 14%, respectively), but persistent thinness was lower (7% vs. 16%). Improvement in anemia, thinness and stunting was 1.4–1.7 times higher among boys than girls. Boys who were anemic in both waves were 74% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI)]: 0.12,0.59) and 65% (AOR 0.35, 95%CI: 0.16,0.76) less likely to be able to read a story and solve division problems, respectively, compared to boys who were non-anemic in both waves. Persistent thinness in boys was negatively associated with both reading (AOR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21,0.66) and math proficiency (AOR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.16,0.46). Persistent stunting contributed to lower reading and math proficiency in boys and girls (AORs: 0.29 to 0.46). Boys whose anemia or thinness status improved and girls whose stunting status improved had similar learning skills at follow-up as those who were never anemic/thin/stunted. Conclusions: Persistent anemia, thinness and short stature during adolescence was associated with poor learning. Programs targeted at adolescents should contribute to nurturing environments that foster healthy growth and learning. 2022-06 2024-04-12T13:37:40Z 2024-04-12T13:37:40Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/141314 en Open Access Elsevier Nguyen, Phuong Hong; Walia, Monika; Pant, Anjali; Menon, Purnima; and Scott, Samuel. 2022. Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 115(6): 1549–1558. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac028
spellingShingle anaemia
education
adolescents
mathematics
anthropometry
learning
stunting
Nguyen, Phuong Hong
Walia, Monika
Pant, Anjali
Menon, Purnima
Scott, Samuel P.
Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India
title Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India
title_full Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India
title_fullStr Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India
title_full_unstemmed Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India
title_short Changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes: Findings from a 3-year longitudinal study in India
title_sort changes in anemia and anthropometry during adolescence predict learning outcomes findings from a 3 year longitudinal study in india
topic anaemia
education
adolescents
mathematics
anthropometry
learning
stunting
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/141314
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