Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Ozughalu, U.M., Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Nigeria frequently experiences poor students' academic achievements in mathematics at various levels of education. This study examined the impact of parental education, number of siblings in the family and body weight on students' academic achievements in mathematics. The study used data obtained from the Department of Economics, Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Nigeria. Specifically, the study utilised information on Year One Class of 2009/2010 Academic Session, numbering one hundred and seventythree (173) students. Three related multiple regression equations were estimated using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimator; and White's heteroscedasticity-corrected standard errors of the OLS estimates were obtained and utilised to cater for the presence of heteroscedasticity. Estimates of the regression equations reveal that parents' educational levels have significant positive impact on students' academic achievements in mathematics whereas number of siblings in the family has significant negative impact on students' academic achievements in mathematics. Normal weight has significant positive impact on students' academic achievements in mathematics while overweight and obesity have significant negative impact on students' academic achievements in mathematics. Thus steps should be taken to sufficiently improve parents' educational levels, reduce family size and make students have normal weights in order to adequately improve students' academic achievements in mathematics. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2012.