High schools have always been known for their role in shaping students’ futures. A recent study conducted by researchers from Penn State, the University of Texas, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Minnesota suggests that high schools may also have an impact on a person’s weight later in life.
Published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, the study found correlations between various aspects of students’ high school experiences and their weight in midlife. Attending private high schools, schools with greater socioeconomic resources, and participating in activities such as taking advanced classes and being popular were all linked to healthier weights in midlife.
Lead author Michelle Frisco, a professor of sociology and demography, emphasized that these associations held true even after accounting for factors like earning a college degree and attending selective colleges, which have previously been linked to adult weight. The study also highlighted that these associations were particularly strong among women.
The researchers utilized data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ High School & Beyond Study in the 1980s, following up with participants in their early 50s to investigate the relationship between various dimensions of students’ high school experiences and their weight in midlife. They found that family and school socioeconomic status, school type, curricular tracks, and popularity were all related to midlife weight, with stronger associations observed in women.
Frisco noted that women and girls often face more scrutiny, judgment, and pressure to maintain a certain weight compared to their male peers. This led the researchers to hypothesize that factors like family SES, social groupings, and curricular tracks could play a significant role in women’s weight outcomes.
The study sample attended high school during a period when obesity rates were much lower than they are today, with only 5% of students being obese. The researchers suggested that certain high school experiences from that era may have helped protect individuals against obesity as it became more prevalent in later years.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to explore other high school student cohorts to validate their findings across different generations. They also aim to delve deeper into how the educational process impacts other aspects of adult health.
Collaborators on the study included Emily Lybbert and Chandra Muller from the University of Texas, Eric Grodsky from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and J. Robert Warren from the University of Minnesota.
For more information, the study titled “Do high school experiences shape midlife body weight?” can be accessed in Social Science & Medicine (2025) with DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117693. This research was conducted by Michelle L. Frisco and her team.
The findings of this study underscore the importance of considering how high school experiences can influence long-term health and well-being. As obesity rates continue to rise, understanding the impact of education on health outcomes becomes increasingly crucial.
