Exploring the Link between Physiological Development and Intellectual Proficiency among Middle School Students in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Is there a correlation between the growth trajectory of middle school students and their intelligence proficiency. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019, involving a total cohort of 1682 students.This survey assess their growth and development status by measuring height and weight and calculating body mass index (BMI). The intelligence of the sampled students was evaluated using the second revision of the Chinese Combined Raven Test (CRT-C2). Ordered logistic regression analysis was employed to comprehensively explore the relationship between their growth and developmental status and IQ. RESULTS: This height disparity between male and female was statistically significant (χ2 = 28.746, p = 0.000). Gender-based differences were observed in IQ scores, with girls outscoring boys (χ2 = 26.1, p = 0.000). Younger students exhibited higher IQ scores (χ2 =498.959, p = 0.000). Further analysis demonstrated that growth retardation (OR = 2.675, 95%CI 1.189~6.018, p = 0.017), wasting(OR = 1.683, 95%CI 1.016~2.561, p = 0.015), overnutrition (OR = 1.748, 95%CI 1.214~2.516, p = 0.003), low height development (OR=1.816, 95%CI 1.313~2.511, p = 0.000) and middle height development (OR = 1.433, 95%CI 1.095~1.875, p = 0.009) were identified as risk factors for middle school students in this region. CONCLUSION: The research highlights significant that growth retardation, wasting, overnutrition , low and middle height development were detrimental to intellectual development among middle school students in the region.