Impact of Reduced School Exposure on Adolescent Health Behaviors and Food Security: Evidence From 4‐Day School Weeks

Abstract

BACKGROUND Four‐day school week (FDSW) use has increased substantially among US districts in recent years, but limited data exist on health impacts of this school schedule. This study examined associations of reduced school exposure via FDSWs with adolescent health and risk behaviors, obesity, and food security. METHODS Self‐report data from 8th‐ and 11th‐grade students from the Oregon Healthy Teens survey across 5 survey years (odd years 2007‐2015, total N = 91,860‐104,108 respondents depending on the survey question) were linked to a FDSW indicator. Regression analyses controlling for student and school characteristics compared outcomes between students in 4‐ and 5‐day schools overall (without school fixed effects) and outcomes associated with switching to a FDSW (with school fixed effects). RESULTS When controlling for multiple student‐ and school‐level factors, we observed adolescents in FDSW schools report they consume sugar sweetened beverages more frequently and water less frequently, have access to fewer days of physical education, are more likely to be food insecure, and are more likely to report the use of any drugs and specifically marijuana than 5‐day school week students. CONCLUSIONS Limiting exposure to the school environment via FDSWs may impact adolescent health behaviors, including diet, physical activity, and drug use.

Increases in adolescent firearm injuries were associated with school closures during COVID-19

“…AFIs are associated with both unplanned school closures and remote-only teaching despite adjustment for COVID and societal factors. This finding lends credence to the idea that school is among the safest places for children to be based on rates of violent crime [20] , and that children may depend on school for physical security [21] . Our study supports these findings with adolescent-specific, per-district and per-week precision, and estimates the magnitude of the increase in violence at 2 injuries per every 3 days closed.…”

Parental Perceived Discrimination and Youth Participation in Out-Of-School Sports

“…Daily structure and routine have been positively linked to better health behaviors, lower substance abuse, and better mental health [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Many structured activities can facilitate prevention of diseases related to lifestyle, which inherently require a lifetime of prevention strategies and treatment [ 5 ].…”