A recent study conducted by social scientists Mona Dian from the University of Worms and Moris Triventi from the University of Trento in Italy has revealed that overweight children in Germany receive worse grades than their normal or underweight peers, even when their academic performance is identical. The study analyzed the grades of 3,700 seventh-grade students in German schools, as well as their performance in German and math tests. The researchers also took into account other factors such as the time spent on homework, the socioeconomic status and education level of the parents, the children’s mother tongue, and their attitude towards learning. The results showed that overweight children received worse grades than normal-weight children, particularly in the subject of German.
The study found that overweight and obese boys were 11% more likely to receive a poor grade in German, while receiving a grade of one was 4% less likely and a grade of two was 13% less likely. However, there was no significant correlation between weight and grades for girls. The researchers suggest that this may be due to the stereotype that boys are less diligent than girls, which is reinforced by the association of overweight with a lack of discipline. The authors of the study also suggest that other factors may be responsible for the lower grades of overweight children, which were not examined in the study.
Previous studies in the United States have also shown that overweight students receive lower grades. In response to these findings, the authors of the study suggest that new criteria for grading should be established to ensure a more objective evaluation of students. This could include using anonymous codes instead of names on tests and assignments. Such measures would not only benefit overweight students but also other marginalized groups who may be subject to discrimination in the classroom.
In conclusion, the study highlights the need for greater awareness of the impact of weight bias on academic performance and the importance of creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.
