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Home‐schooled children are thinner, leaner, and report better diets relative to traditionally schooled children
Author(s) -
Cardel Michelle,
Willig Amanda L.,
DulinKeita Akilah,
Casazza Krista,
Cherrington Andrea,
Gunnarsdottir Thrudur,
Johnson Susan L.,
Peters John C.,
Hill James O.,
Allison David B.,
Fernández José R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20610
Subject(s) - calorie , trunk , medicine , sugar , obesity , zoology , percentile , nutrient , food science , chemistry , biology , statistics , ecology , mathematics , organic chemistry
Objective To examine and compare the relationships among diet, physical activity, and adiposity between home‐schooled children (HSC) and traditionally schooled children (TSC). Design and Methods Subjects were HSC ( n = 47) and TSC ( n = 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). Results 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 trans fats, total sugar, added sugars, calcium, and lower intakes of fiber, fruits, and vegetables ( P < 0.05). At lunch, TSC consumed significantly more calories, sugar, sodium, potassium, and calcium compared to HSC ( P < 0.05). Physical activity did not differ between groups. Traditional schooling was associated with increased consumption of trans fat, sugar, calcium ( P < 0.05); lower intakes of fiber, and fruits and vegetables ( P < 0.05); and higher FM, %BF, and trunk fat ( P < 0.01), after adjustment for covariates. Conclusions 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.