Body Weight and Gender: Academic Choice and Performance

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between body weight and academic choice and performance, focusing on gender differences and using survey data from students at the University of Salerno in Italy. Our findings indicate a significant negative relationship between body weight and academic performance, particularly for female students. In our examination of BMI and field of study (i.e., science vs. the humanities), our results indicate that overweight/obese females are less likely than those of average weight to pursue scientific studies, and hence, more remunerative careers. The asymmetry of the findings between males and females suggests that during late adolescence physicality plays different roles according to gender.