How Healthy Is Homeschool? An Analysis of Body Composition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

E-ISSN： 1746-1561|88|2|132-138

ISSN： 0022-4391

Source： JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Vol.88, Iss.2, 2018-02, pp. : 132-138

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Abstract

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNDPublic school children regularly participate in school‐based physical activity, physical education, and fitness testing. However, almost 2 million American children are homeschooled. The purpose of this research was to assess the body composition of elementary school‐aged homeschool children and their corresponding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

METHODSThis research explored the body composition and CVD risk of 145 homeschool children aged 5–11 years using body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and waist circumference. Chi‐square and Mann‐Whitney U tests examined differences in CVD risk within the homeschool population.

RESULTSOverall, homeschool children had average BMI z‐scores (SD [range]) with a mean of −0.11 (0.97 [−3.47 to 2.53]). Unhealthy classifications were seen in 11.2% of the sample by BMI, 19.6% by percent body fat, and 49.7% by waist circumference. Statistical analysis revealed no difference in CVD risk between sexes (χ²(1) = 0.062, p = .804) or ethnicities (χ²(1) = 0.927, p = .336) but increased prevalence in children aged 5–9 years (U = 1427, z = −4.559, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONSAlmost half of elementary school‐aged homeschool children showed increased risk for CVD and need regular assessment of central adiposity.