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

Autor: Paul N. Thompson, Madeleine C. Smith, John M. Schuna, Emily J. Tomayko, Katherine B. Gunter
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: J Sch Health
ISSN: 1746-1561
0022-4391
DOI: 10.1111/josh.13095
Popis: 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 8(th) and 11(th) grade students from the Oregon Healthy Teens survey across five 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 four- and five-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 use of any drugs and specifically marijuana than five-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.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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