Linking body mass index and intelligence among Indian medical students

The intelligence quotient (IQ) is a dependable measurement for intellectual functioning that reflects computable cognitive abilities. According to earlier cross-sectional studies designs, developing higher BMI related to decreased IQ in adolescents population. Therefore, it is of interest to determine the correlation between IQ and BMI. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale-IV was used to assess intelligence. Body Mass Index (weight in kg/height in metre squares) was calculated using height and weight. A questionnaire was developed after the elaborated discussion and circulated among the students. The data was then analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019. The correlation among intelligent quotient and BMI was found to be positive: r = 0.447, N = 300, p<0.05. Data shows that the IQ score is moderately associated with BMI. However, the other factors such as, parental IQ, nutrition, and socioeconomic status is taken into account, this effect appears to differ.