Washington, Jan 22 : A new study has found that school performance and body weight have a significant impact on kids' self esteem.

Paul Veugelers, researcher from University of Alberta surveyed nearly 5,000 Grade 5 students in Nova Scotia, asked questions about self-esteem, measured height and weight and linked the results with the standardized provincial exam results.

He found that like adults, body weight affects a child''s self-esteem, but contrary to many adults, low self-esteem doesn''t lead to weight gain.

Moreover, school performance affects self-esteem, but it didn''t go the other way; if students had low self-esteem they still managed to perform well in class.

The study also shows that healthy eating and physical activity has a positive effect on school performance. (ANI)