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Weight and body mass index It is currently unknown whether policies 
requiring daily recess have a significant impact on weight, as research on 
this association is sparse. Nonetheless, limited evidence shows a significant 
relationship between increased weekly minutes of recess and lower BMI in 
children in grades 1-5 (Fernandes and Sturm, 2011; Miller, 2011). 
Cognitive outcomes As discussed more thoroughly in Chapter 6, recent 
reviews of the literature suggest that daily recess policies can have a positive 
influence on academic performance (e.g., cognitive skills and attitudes, on-
task behavior, organization, attendance, impulse control) (Siedentop, 2009; 
Trost, 2009; CDC, 2010; Beighle, 2012). Most of these studies showed 
enhanced learning due to greater classroom attentiveness and on-task 
behavior among students participating in recess. See the detailed discussion 
of the association between physical activity and academic performance in 
Chapter 4.