Abstract
This ex-post facto correlational study was designed to determine the relationship between academic achievement and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Southwest Florida third grade school students attending Title I and Non-Title I schools. Childhood obesity has emerged as a significant health issue in the elementary school population. According to current research, the trend of childhood obesity has become a serious national health concern among elementary school students. The majority of school districts within Southwest Florida require that all children attending school must participate in a health screening in grades 1, 3, and 6. One specific health screening is used to calculate students’ BMI. The study sample included a population of 951 suburban students that qualified for free/reduced lunch, attending Title I schools in Southwest Florida. The study will also include 1,198 suburban students attending Non-Title I schools in Southwest Florida for a sample total of 2,149 third grade students. Twenty of 44 elementary schools in a specific Southwest Florida school district were randomly selected according to Florida Department of Education Title I and Non-Title I criteria. After examining secondary data from a population of 2,149 Southwest Florida 3rd grade elementary school students, BMI and FCAT achievement was correlated and analyzed. Further research that addresses these limitations is warranted