Homeschool Student Physical Activity Compared to Public/Private School Students: The 2017 US National Household Travel Survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND School is an important place for physical activity (PA); however, little is known about how homeschool students' PA levels compare with public and private school students. This study estimated the national prevalence of PA levels of homeschool students compared to public and private school students. METHODS We used the 2017 National Household Travel Survey for school‐aged participants (N = 31,486) to compare weekly PA (not active, light or moderate activity, or vigorous activity) by school type (public/private or homeschool) and school level (elementary, middle, and high school). RESULTS Unadjusted analyses found higher prevalence of physical inactivity for homeschool students, 14.2% (95% CI, 9.7‐18.7%), compared to public/private school students, 8.0% (95% CI, 7.1‐9.0%). For students who reported any PA, there was no difference in mean number of episodes for light or moderate PA [public/private: 4.2 (95%, CI, 4.1‐4.3), homeschool: 4.3 (95% CI, 3.9‐4.6)], or vigorous PA [public/private: 5.6 (95% CI, 5.5‐5.7); homeschool: 5.5 (95% CI, 4.9‐6.0)]. Results were comparable for covariate‐adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS A higher percentage of homeschool students report being physically inactive compared to public/private school students. However, data with more specific measures of PA intensity and duration are required to determine the potential magnitude of reported differences in behavior.

Physical Activity Levels and Sleep in Schoolchildren (6–17) with and without School Sport

“…Globally, there appear to be marked socioeconomic disparities between students in public and public schools [91]. Any walking and any MVPA did not differ between school types for high school or middle school parents [92]; however, the results of the present study show data in favour of public school ownership in total sleep time and time in bed as well as lower sedentary behaviour, but not in sleep efficiency in those performing PAS, relative to privately owned schools.…”

“…In private schools, there are a high percentage of schools on the outskirts of population centres or cities, which makes it difficult for them to engage in daily physical activity on the way to the school, and this could be a determining factor in the differential values of APL in those who do not do PSA. On the other hand, sleep values may be related to the pressure, anxiety and amount of homework [93] that the private system, as opposed to the public system, imposes on its students, which, as the literature indicates, increases the probability of suffering from sleep disorders, along with sedentary behaviour [91].…”

Variations in Physical Activity and Screentime According to School Format During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

“…One study of homeschooled middle and high school students prepandemic found that homeschooled children were more likely to engage in no PA than were students in public or private brick and mortar schools. 13 Though not addressing PA levels, a Texas study of children aged 5-17 years found no relationship between measures of weight status or physical fitness and length of time homeschooling. 14 Finally, pre-pandemic studies suggest that children are typically more physically active in the spring and summer months.…”

“…The profound shift in educational modalities seen during COVID‐19, where more children were taking classes from home, provides a unique opportunity to understand how in‐person and remote or home‐based learning environments differ in terms of support for healthy lifestyle behavior patterns. One study of homeschooled middle and high school students pre‐pandemic found that homeschooled children were more likely to engage in no PA than were students in public or private brick and mortar schools 13 . Though not addressing PA levels, a Texas study of children aged 5‐17 years found no relationship between measures of weight status or physical fitness and length of time homeschooling 14 …”