Parental impact on the cardiovascular health and body composition of their homeschooled children
Hello, , from NHERI and Dr. Ray.
The Context
Recent research has established factors that have a bearing on the health status of children. These include environmental and parental influence. Researchers David Wachob and Robert Alman think that since there has been a large increase of the number of home-educated children in the United States then “… it is imperative to begin investigating the impact that this unique environment has on the children’s health” (p.
2).[1]
Methods
They inspected the cardiovascular health and body composition of
homeschooling children to learn the impact that the parent-teacher has on
these health indicators. The variables they considered include the children’s aerobic capacity (VO2 levels), Body Mass Index (BMI), and body fat percentage. Then the children’s results were then compared to their parent-teacher’s estimated VO2 levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), and body fat percentage.
The investigators sample involved “… 14 homeschooling families from western Pennsylvania, including 30 children ages 8-16 years, and each of the 14 family’s parent-teacher; which in this case were all mothers of the children. All participants were eligible to participate in the study because the children are educated in the home and the primary caregiver is the teacher. The majority of children participants were females
(53.3%) and in the 10-11 (36.4%) age group” (p. 2-3).
Children’s fitness levels were determined by a test that “… requires children to run a series of 20-meter laps to a timed cadence with the speed increasing each minute until the child cannot complete the lap in the designated time” (p. 3). Parents’ fitness levels were established by use of a single-stage treadmill walking test to measure their
aerobic capacity.
“Body composition was determined by calculating height and weight ratios for
both the parent and child participants, being reported as body mass index
(BMI)” and body composition was also established by measuring body fat percentage of both the parent and child participants using a
handheld bioelectrical impedance method (BIA) (p. 3).
Findings
All of the children had aerobic capacity (VO2) levels within the healthy range for their respective age groups. The mean VO2 scores for all female
age
groups were on the lower side of what is considered to be the acceptable healthy
range. All but one of the male age groups were in the upper half of the acceptable healthy range. This suggests that homeschool boys have a higher aerobic threshold than do the girls.
A moderate relationship (r = .667, p
< .01) was found when comparing the parent-teacher’s aerobic capacity to their children. The researchers said that this suggests that aerobic capacity of the parent-teacher is “casually” associated with the aerobic capacity of their children.
About one-third of the children were considered either overweight (16.7%) or obese (16.7), based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)
BMI chart for children. Nearly half of the parent-teachers (42.9%) were in the normal BMI weight status. Half (50%) of the parent-teachers were in the overweight category; none were in the obese weight status category.
“The relationship between the parent-teachers’ BMI and their respective children
were moderate (r = .663, p < .01); suggesting that
the weight status, or BMI, of
the parent-teacher is casually associated with their children’s weight status” (p. 4).
Conclusions
Wachob and Alman wisely pointed out some limitations of
their study. For example, it included a relatively small sample size, so the results cannot
be generalized. Another limitation of this study includes the fact that it “… focused on a group of homeschoolers who participated in a weekly physical education program at a local university. This demonstrates that these families have an established interest in physical activity and health based on their voluntary participation in a program of this nature”
(p. 5).
Their study did find, however, that the primary caregiver, or parent-teacher, is a “moderate variable” for predicting homeschool children’s health indicators. This finding supports the literature on this relationship. The researchers propose that future studies “… should seek to establish more environmental variables unique to the homeschooling population (i.e. daily schedule, mealtimes,
social influence, etc…) that may contribute to the overall health of the children enrolled in this type of education” (p. 5).
The focus and findings of this study might remind the reader of some historical truth laid out about two millennia ago, as follows:
He [Jesus] also
told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.[2]
Parents should strive to be good role models to their children regarding the
care of their bodies and physical health. Research like this once again confirms that parents play a crucial role in many aspects of their children’s lives.
--Brian D. Ray, Ph.D.
National Home Education Research Institute
P.S. Your donations help NHERI and Dr. Ray (1) keep up with new research to give you the truth about what is happening in the United States and around the world regarding homeschooling freedoms, research, and insights and (2) be ready to speak to scholars, journalists, courts, policymakers, and
parents.
Two ways to help NHERI:
1. Send a check to: NHERI, PO Box 13939, Salem OR 97309
NHERI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Contributions are tax-deductible per law.
NHERI, PO Box 13939, Salem OR 97309, USA
Endnotes:
[1] Wachob, David A., Alman, Robert E. (2015). Parental influence on the cardiovascular health and body composition of homeschool
children. International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health, 8(3):305-311.