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A study in New York City found a connection between mind and body -- kids who were in the top 5 percent for fitness scored 36 percentage points higher on state reading and math tests than did the least-fit 5 percent. So is it something to do with their weight alone? Or are their other factors at play -- e.g. socioeconomic, teacher bias, correlation instead of causation, etc. The instructor and assistant professor at the U of U that I spoke to seemed to think there is definitely something to be said for exercise and academia. Research points to a healthier child doing better in school. They say this shows we should educate the whole child, and they became especially passionate when talking about how PE and recess are getting cut. There is something to be said about habits at home as well. Kids don't have to get all their exercise in PE or recess.
