Caribbean Examination Council Secondary Education Certificate School Based

Assessment Additional Mathematics

Does good health (as indicated by Body Mass Index) influence academic
performance?

Name of student:
Candidate number:
School code:
Name of school:
Territory:

Table of Contents
Title

Page

Purpose of Project.1
Method of Data Collection2
Presentation of Data..3
Mathematical Knowledge/ Analysis of Data...14
Discussion of Findings.28
Conclusion31
Bibliography.32
Appendix..33

Purpose of Project
An investigation to examine the academic performance of 5th form students of Harrison College
in the subjects, Mathematics and English Literature and the relationship this academic
performance had with their BMI.

Method of Data Collection

The marks obtained by fifty selected 5th year students at Harrison College in the 2015 English
Literature and Mathematics promotion exam were provided by the school. The weights of fifty
selected students were measured using a scale and the heights of the same selected students using
a measuring tape. The weights and heights were tabulated and used to calculate the Body Mass
Index (BMI) using the formula: BMI= weight in kilograms height in meters

2.

Presentation of Data
Stude
nts
Boy 1
Boy 2
Boy 3
Boy 4
Boy 5
Boy 6
Boy 7
Boy 8
Boy 9
Boy 10
Boy 11
Boy 12
Boy 13
Boy 14
Boy 15
Boy 16
Boy 17
Boy 18
Boy 19
Boy 20
Boy 21
Boy 23
Boy 24
Boy 25
Boy 26

Weight
(kg)
54.4
49.94
61.2
79.8
63.5
57.1
83.9
59
52.1
77.5
51.2
58.5
73.4
48.5
53.5
55.3
68.9
73
61.2
77.1
63.1
52.1
59
64.9
72.7

Height
(m2)
2.8
2.9
2.8
3.2
3.2
2.7
3.1
3.5
3.1
3.2
3.2
2.9
2.9
2.7
2.9
3.2
3.1
3.4
2.9
3.4
3
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2

BMI=weight(kg)/heigh
t(m2)
19.5
17.2
21.9
24.9
19.8
21.1
27.1
16.9
16.9
24.2
16
20.2
25.3
18
18.4
17.3
22.2
21.5
21.1
22.7
21.3
16.3
18.4
20.3
20.3

Stude
nts
Boy 1
Boy 2
Boy 3
Boy 4
Boy 5
Boy 6
Boy 7
Boy 8
Boy 9
Boy 10
Boy 11
Boy 12
Boy 13
Boy 14
Boy 15
Boy 16
Boy 17
Boy 18
Boy 19
Boy 20
Boy 21
Boy 22
Boy 23
Boy 24
Boy 25

Underweight/healthy/overwei
ght/obese
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Overweight
Healthy
Healthy
Overweight
Healthy
Healthy
Overweight
Underweight
Healthy
Overweight
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Underweight
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy

Marks (%)
English
Mathemati
Literature
cs
63
70
79
56
64
65
66
82
85
80
72
65
62
57
74
78
70
81
78
30
60
43
73
70
66
54
67
76
64
39
68
63
76
92
72
56
78
81
71
53
73
68
67
48
81
84
83
38
72
91

Stude
nts
Girl 1
Girl 2
Girl 3
Girl 4
Girl 5
Girl 6
Girl 7
Girl 8
Girl 9
Girl 10
Girl 11
Girl 12
Girl 13
Girl 14
Girl 15
Girl 16
Girl 17
Girl 18
Girl 19
Girl 20
Girl 21
Girl 22
Girl 23
Girl 24
Girl 25

Weight
(kg)
49.9
56.7
54.4
61.2
59
41.7
54
52.1
41.3
52.6
54.4
62.6
50.8
47.2
70.8
47.2
54.9
45.8
55.3
43.5
42.2
67.6
57.2
68
81.8

Height
(m2)
2.6
3.1
2.6
2.4
2.7
2.5
2.9
2.9
2.5
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.8
2.6
2.4
2.4
2.6
2.6
2.5
2.3
2.6
3.2
2.7
2.3
2.8

BMI=weight(kg)/height
(m2)
19.2
18.3
21
25.5
22
16.7
18.6
18
16.5
18.8
20.1
23.2
18.1
18.2
29.5
20
21.1
17.6
22.1
18.9
16.2
21.1
21.2
29.6
29.2

Marks (%)
Stude
nts
Girl 1
Girl 2
Girl 3
Girl 4
Girl 5
Girl 6
Girl 7
Girl 8
Girl 9
Girl 10
Girl 11
Girl 12
Girl 13
Girl 14
Girl 15
Girl 16
Girl 17
Girl 18
Girl 19
Girl 20
Girl 21
Girl 22
Girl 23
Girl 24
Girl 25

Underweight/healthy/overwei
ght/obese
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Overweight
Healthy
Underweight
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Obese
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Underweight
Healthy
Healthy
Obese
Obese

English
Literature
77
79
81
86
70
75
79
81
78
51
78
73
74
74
76
83
64
54
72
74
84
44
62
70
62

Mathemati
cs
93
40
45
43
29
75
76
93
50
67
82
70
46
43
71
77
53
45
52
49
74
85
91
42
29

Diagram 1: Steam and Leaf Diagram Showing the Body Mass Index for Females
Stea
m
1
2
3

Lea
f
6
0
0

7
0
0

7
1

8
1

8
1

8
1

8
2

8
2

9
3

9
6

9
9

KEY: 3/0 means 30

Diagram 2: Stem and Leaf Diagram Showing the Body Mass Index for Males
Stea
m
1
2

Lea
f
6
0

6
0

7
0

7
0

7
0

7
1

8
1

8
1

8
2

KEY: 2/0 means 20

Diagram 3: Box and Whiskers Plots of Overall Body Mass Index for Females and Males

BMI for Males

BMI for Females

10

15

20

25

30

Pie Chart 1: The Percentage of Body Mass Index Ranking for Females

12%

8%

4%

Underweight
Healthy
Overweight
Obese
77%

35

Pie Chart 2: The Percentage of Body Mass Index Ranking for Males

17%

8%
Underweight
Healthy
Overweight
Obese
75%

Bar Chart 1: Showing the Most Common Mark Ranges for Females in English Literature

14
12

12
10

10
8
Frequency

6
4
2

2
0

75-100

60-74

59-50
Marks (%)

1
49-40

Under
0 40

Bar Chart 2: Showing the Most Common Mark Ranges for Females in Mathematics

8
7
6
5
Frequency

2
1
0

75-100

60-74

59-50

49-40

Under 40

Marks (%)

Bar Chart 3: Showing the Most Common Mark Ranges for Males in English Literature

18
18
16
14
12
Frequency

10
8

6
4
2
0
75-100

60-74

0
59-50
Marks(%)

10

0
49-40

0 40
Under

Bar Chart 4: Showing the Most Common Mark Ranges for Males in Mathematics

9
8
7
6
Frequency

0
75-100

60-74

59-50

49-40

Under 40

Marks(%)

Pie Chart 3: Showing the Performances for Females in English Literature

8%

4%
Grade A (75%-100%)
48%

40%

Grade B (60%-74%)
Grade C (59%-50%)
Grade D (49%-40%)

11

Pie Chart 4: Showing the Performances for Females in Mathematics

Grade A (75%-100%)

8%
Grade B (60%-74%)
32%

Grade C (59%-50%)

32%

Grade D (49%-40%)

Grade E (Under
40%)
16%
12%

Pie Chart 5: Showing the Performances for Males in English Literature

12

28%

Grade A (75%-100%)
Grade B (60%-74%)
Grade C (59%-50%)
Grade D (49%-40%)
Grade E (Under 40%)

72%

Pie Chart 6: Showing the Performances for Males in Mathematics

12%
8%

36%

Grade A (75%-100%)
Grade B (60%-74%)
Grade C (59%-50%)
Grade D (49%-40%)

20%

Grade E (Under 49%)

24%

Bar Chart 5: Showing the Average Marks in English Literature for Females and Males
categorised in their Body Mass Index Ranking

13

86
71

Females

80
Underweight

Gender
68

Healthy
Overweight

73

Males
64
0

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

English Literature marks (%)

Bar Chart 6: Showing the Average Marks in Mathematics for Females and Males
categorised in their Body Mass Index Ranking

43
62

Females

75
Underweight

Gender
56

Healthy
69

Males

Overweight

46

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Mathematics Marks (%)

Grade A
75%-100%

Grade B
60%-74%

Grade C
50%-59%

Grade D
40%-49%

Mathematical Knowledge/ Analysis of Data

14

Grade E
Under 40%

The test was conducted in order to investigate if health (indicated by Body Mass Index)
influence academic performance. The test was divided into gender; males and females and two
subjects English Literature and Mathematics.
First, we must find the average Body Mass Index obtained by females and males using the
results from the Stem and Leaf Diagrams, in Diagrams 1 and 2. The average or mean is a number

expressing the central or value in a set of data. The formula is: Mean=

x
n

; where

represents the sum of the data values and n represents the number of data values.
The average Body Mass Index for Females rounded off =

16+17+17+ 18+18+18+18+18+19+19+ 19+ 19+20+20+21+21+21+21+22+22+23+26+ 29+30+30

) 25

522
25

= 21
The average Body Mass Index for Males rounded off =

( 16+16+17+ 17+17+17+18+ 18+18+20+20+20+ 20+20+21+21+21+22+22+22+23+24 +25+25+27 ) 25

507
25
15

=20

Bar Chart 7: Showing the Average BMI for Females and Males

20
Males

21
Females

19.4

19.6

19.8

20

20.2

20.4

20.6

20.8

21

Body Mass Index (kg/m2)

Using the Stem and Leaf Diagrams, in Diagrams 1 and 2 (see page 7), we can find the lower and
upper quartiles, mode, maximum and minimum values for the Body Mass Index for Females and
Males.
Q1 represents the lower quartile.
Q2 represents the median.
Q3 represents the upper quartile.

16

BMI for Females

The lower quartile = Q1=

n+1
4

25+ 1
4

26
4

= 6.5 = 7th
Q1 = 18

The median = Q2=

n+1
2

25+ 1
2

26
2

= 13th

17

Q2 = 20

The upper quartile= Q3=

3 (n+1)
4

3 (25+1)
4

78
4

=19.5 = 20th
Q3 = 22
The minimum value = 16
The maximum value = 30
Mode = 18

BMI for Males

The lower quartile = Q1=

n+1
4

18

25+ 1
4

26
4

= 6.5 = 7th
Q1 = 18

The median = Q2=

n+1
2

25+ 1
2

26
2

= 13th
Q2 = 20

The upper quartile= Q3=

3 (n+1)
4

3 (25+1)
4

19

78
4

=19.5 = 20th
Q3= 22

The minimum value = 16

The maximum value = 27
Mode = 20
A Box and Whiskers Plot is a graph displaying the lower quartile, median, upper quartile and
minimum and maximum values. This is done by ordering the data, identifying the five values
necessary and plotting the graph. Using the data that was calculated and determined above, Box
and Whiskers Plots were plotted and drawn for the BMI for both Female and Male. (see Diagram
3)
Standard deviation is a measure of how data is spread out relative to the mean of the data. We
can find the standard deviation of marks in English Literature for males and females and
standard deviation of marks in Mathematics for males and females using the equation of standard
deviation:

x i x 2

20

Where:

xi

represents standard deviation

represents the sum of data values

represents mean

n represents the number of data values

Standard Deviation of marks in English Literature for Males

xi

63
79
64
66
85
72
62
74
70
78
60
73
66
67
64

xi

-8.36
7.64
-7.36
-5.36
13.64
0.64
-9.36
2.64
-1.36
6.64
-11.36
1.64
-5.36
-4.36
-7.36
21

x
69.89
58.37
54.16
28.73
186.05
0.41
87.61
6.97
1.85
44.09
129.05
2.69
29.05
19.01
54.17

68
76
72
78
71
73
67
81
83
72
1784

-3.36
4.64
0.64
6.64
0.36
1.64
-4.36
9.64
11.64
0.64

Number of marks= 25

xi
n

1784
25

= 71.36
2

x i x

1100.08
25

= 44.00
= 6.63
22

11.29
21.53
0.41
44.09
0.13
2.69
19.01
92.93
135.49
0.41
1100.08

Standard Deviation of marks in Mathematics for Males

xi

70
56
65
82
80
65
57
78
81
30
43
70
54
76
39
63
92
56
81
53
68
48
84
38
91
1620

xi

5.2
-8.8
0.2
17.2
15.2
0.2
-7.8
13.2
16.2
-34.8
-21.8
5.2
-10.8
11.2
-25.8
-1.8
27.2
-8.8
16.2
-11.8
3.2
-16.8
19.2
-26.8
26.2

Number of marks= 25

xi
n

23

x
27.0
77.4
0.04
295.8
231.0
0.04
60.8
174.2
262.4
1211.0
475.2
27.0
116.6
125.4
665.6
3.2
739.8
77.4
262.4
139.2
10.2
282.2
368.6
718.2
686.4
7037.2

1620
= 25

= 64.8

x i x 2

7037.2
25

= 281.5
= 16.8

Standard Deviation of marks in English Literature for Females

xi

77
79
81
86
70
75
79
81
78
51

xi

4.96
6.96
8.69
13.96
-2.04
2.96
6.96
8.96
5.96
-21.04
24

24.60
48.44
80.28
194.88
4.16
8.76
48.44
80.28
35.52
442.68

78
73
74
74
76
83
64
54
72
74
84
44
62
70
62
1801

5.96
0.96
1.96
1.96
3.96
10.96
-8.04
-18.04
-0.04
1.96
11.96
-28.04
-10.04
-2/04
-10.04

Number of marks= 25
xi
n

x =

1801
25

= 72.04

x i x 2

2676.92
25

= 107.08

25

35.52
0.92
3.84
3.84
15.68
120.12
64.64
325.44
0.002
3.84
143.04
786.24
100.80
4.16
100.80
2676.92

= 10.35

Standard Deviation of marks in Mathematics for Females

xi

93
40
45
43
29
75
76
93
50
67
82
70
46
43
71
77
53
45
52
49
74
85
91
42
29
1520

xi

32.2
-20.8
-15.8
-17.8
-31.8
14.2
15.2
32.2
-10.8
6.2
21.2
9.2
-14.8
-17.8
10.2
16.2
-7.8
-15.8
-8.8
-11.8
13.2
24.2
30.2
-18.8
-31.8

26

1036.8
432.6
249.6
316.8
1011.2
201.6
231.0
1036.8
116.6
38.4
449.4
84.6
219.0
316.8
104.0
262.4
60.8
249.6
77.4
139.2
174.2
585.6
912.0
353.4
1011.2

Number of marks= 25
xi
n

1520
25

= 60.8

x i x 2

9671
25

= 386
=19.6

Discussion of Findings
FEMALES VS MALES
As shown in Pie Chart 1 and 2, majority of female and male students are healthy. Also
it is evident that majority of females obtained a grade A in English Literature but the marks

27

varied from grades A to D as shown in Pie Chart 3. On the other hand, males performed
exceptionally well receiving only grades A and B in English Literature as shown in Pie Chart 5.
In Pie Chart 4, it is shown that the same number of female students obtained a
grade A and D in Mathematics. However, in Pie Chart 6 it is shown that the marks varied from
grades A to E but majority of the males obtained a grade A.
For females, the average English Literature mark was 72% and the standard deviation
was 10.35 which is not much deviation. This indicates that the marks were somewhat close to the
mean and consistent. Also it shows that the females performed well because the average English
Literature mark was ranked to be a grade B. The standard deviation for males in English
Literature was found to be 6.63 which is small deviation of the marks. This indicated that the
males performed well because the average mark for English Literature was 71% which is ranked
to be a Grade B. Both English Literature averages for males and females were ranked to be a
grade B but the females average was higher than the males by 1%.
The average Mathematics mark for females was 61% and the standard deviation was
19.6, indicating that there was a wide deviation of the marks. Furthermore, the average
Mathematics mark for males was 65% and the standard deviation was found to be 16.8 which is
a fairly wide spread of the marks to the average. This implies that for both male and females the
marks of Mathematics varied across the grade range, implying that a few students did well, a few
students performed average and a few students failed.
As shown in Diagram 3, for both female and male the minimum point BMI was 16
and the lower quartile was 18. Also, the median BMI of both genders was 18 and the upper
quartiles were the same as well, which was 22. In spite of the similar results obtained by males a
28

females, the maximum values were different. The maximum BMI value for females was 30 and
the maximum BMI value was 27. This indicates that the BMI values for the girls varied across
the range of BMIs having a wider deviation that the males.
Using Bar Chart 5, the highest average mark in English Literature for females was a
grade A categorised in their BMI was overweight, the healthy category obtained a Grade B and
the underweight category obtained a grade A. The highest average mark in English Literature for
males was a grade B categorised in their BMI was healthy, the overweight category obtained a
grade B and the underweight category obtained a grade B. This signifies that in both male and
female in all the BMI categories, good averages were received but the female overweight
category received 86% which is the highest average overall.
In Bar Chart 6, the highest average Mathematics mark for females was a grade A
categorised in their BMI is underweight, the healthy category obtained a Grade B and the
overweight category obtained a Grade D. In Mathematics, the highest average mark for males
was obtained by the healthy category which was a grade B, the overweight category obtained a
grade C and the underweight category obtained a grade D. This implies that underweight females
received the highest average overall although both male and female obtained generally fair
averages.
In sum, by studying the data above, females obtained the highest averages overall in
both English Literature and Mathematics. However, the healthy category received the highest
averages in English Literature and Mathematics for males, which indicates that being healthy
could have influenced the academic performance of males.

29

Conclusion
In conclusion, from examining the data obtained through this study, it can be said that good
health influences academic performance. Although females performed better than the males in
both subjects, students that are considered healthy regardless of gender performed the best
overall.
30

It is suggested that students should include healthy foods in their diets and the school should
facilitate a fruit day every week. It is also suggested that students should study more in
preparation for their promotion exams to receive better results.
In this experiment, participants were all taken from the same school so that the environment
would not influence their results. Also, this conclusion only pertains to English Literature and
Mathematics and may not be true for other subjects. Other factors that should be considered for
the further evaluation of this study include persons social and economic environment, the
persons education level or the genetics of the individual.

Bibliography
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-bmi-definition-formula-calculation.html
http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/

31

Appendix
Females
Student

Height (m2)

1.
2.
3.
32

Weight (kg)

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

Males
Student

Height (m2)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
33

Weight (kg)

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

34

35

36

37

38

39