The effect of attending steiner schools during childhood on health in adulthood: a multicentre cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is speculated that attending Steiner schools, whose pedagogical principles include an account for healthy psycho-physical development, may have long-term beneficial health effects. We examined whether the current health status differed between former attendees of German Steiner schools and adults from the general population. Furthermore, we examined factors that might explain those differences.

Methods

We included former Steiner school attendees from 4 schools in Berlin, Hanover, Nuremberg and Stuttgart and randomly selected population controls. Using a self-report questionnaire we assessed sociodemographics, current and childhood lifestyle and health status. Outcomes were self-reports on 16 diseases: atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, chro

SUBMITTER: Fischer HF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3771992 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature