Home‐schooled children are thinner, leaner, and report better diets relative to traditionally schooled children. (20th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cardel, Michelle; Willig, Amanda L.; Dulin‐Keita, Akilah; Casazza, Krista; Cherrington, Andrea; Gunnarsdottir, Thrudur; Johnson, Susan L.; Peters, John C.; Hill, James O.; Allison, David B.; Fernández, José R.
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 22:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 497
• Page End: 503
• Publication Date: 2013-09-20
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.20610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="oby20610-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To examine and compare the relationships among diet, physical activity, and adiposity between home‐schooled children (HSC) and traditionally schooled children (TSC).</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20610-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design and Methods</title> <p>Subjects were HSC (<italic>n</italic> = 47) and TSC (<italic>n</italic> = 48) aged 7‐12 years old. Dietary intakes were determined via two 24‐h recalls and physical activity was assessed with 7 days of accelerometry. Fat mass (FM), trunk fat, and percent body fat (%BF) were measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA).</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20610-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Relative to HSC, TSC demonstrated significantly higher BMI percentiles, FM, trunk fat, and %BF; consumed 120 total kilocalories more per day; and reported increased intakes of <italic>trans</italic> fats, total sugar, added sugars, calcium, and lower intakes of fiber, fruits, and vegetables (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05). At lunch, TSC consumed significantly more calories, sugar, sodium, potassium, and calcium compared to HSC (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05). Physical activity did not differ between groups. Traditional schooling was associated with increased consumption of <italic>trans</italic> fat, sugar, calcium (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05); lower intakes of fiber, and fruits and vegetables (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05); and higher FM, %BF, and trunk fat (<italic>P</italic> < 0.01), after adjustment for covariates.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20610-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These data suggest HSC may consume diets that differ in energy and nutrient density relative to TSC, potentially contributing to differences in weight and adiposity.</p> </sec> </abstract>