Youth physical health and years in American homeschools: are they related?

Homeschooling is a growing trend in the USA and abroad with both reported consequences and benefits to youth physical health. The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in youth physical health could be related to the number of years a student spends in homeschool. Body composition (body mass index and body fat), muscular fitness (lower extremity, abdominal and upper extremity) and cardiorespiratory fitness (Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run) were assessed in 211 youth ages 5-17. Data analysis showed weak or non-significant relationships between years in homeschool and all aspects of youth physical health. Time spent in homeschool is weakly or not at all related to multiple aspects of youth physical health. Parents and policy makers should not be concerned with detrimental physical health effects of homeschooling on youth.