Intelligence and educational level in relation to body mass index of adult males

In this study we explore the relationships between intelligence test score, educational level, and degree of body fatness. We collected data on intelligence test score, educational level, height, and weight from a sample of 26,274 young Danish men and computed body mass index (weight/height2) as a measure of fatness. Both intelligence test score and educational level had maximum values below the median for body mass index and declined monotonically thereafter. The decline was equal for test score and educational level and above 32 kg/m2 corresponded to almost half a standard deviation. These results are not readily explained by stigmatization of frank obesity, and other mechanisms, possibly genetic, may be responsible.