Factors for obesity in the primary education students in Kastamonu city center, its relation with the academic success, and effects of the curicculum of science classes on the nutrition knowledge levels

The main aims of this study are to define the obesity prevalence in the primary education students in Kastamonu city center, and to find out the relation between nutrition habits and academic success of students.Body Mass Index of 480 students was estimated, and 46.5 % of them were found to have underweight while 10.4 % have overweight and 1.3 % have obesity. The rest of the students (41.9 %) are in the normal parameters. The statistical analyses have shown that the obesity rates are higher in the 5. Grade students, members of families with obese members, chocholate and chips consumers, less or inactive students, and the students under the maternal suppression for eating much. Students stated that they consume more food whey they are joyful, and they omit the meals when they do not feel like to eat.A negative correlation was estimated between nutrition knowledge levels and weights of the students. While the academic success increases the obesity rates also increase. The students with normal weight, overweight and obesity were found to be more successful than the students with underweight. The overwight and obese students had no failures or passable points in classes. It may be expressed that the Science and Technology class has a positive effect on the nutrition knowledge of the students.