Parent and child opinion on the use of standing desks in the classroom

TL;DR

Most parents and children are open to using standing desks in classrooms, but acceptability drops for children with higher BMI.

Contribution

The study identifies BMI-related differences in parental and child acceptance of classroom standing desks.

Findings

85% of parents supported classroom standing desk use for their children.

Child BMI ≥85th percentile was strongly associated with lower acceptability of standing desks.

Concerns included discomfort, fidgeting, and attention issues.

Abstract

•Of 50 parent-child pairs, most were willing to support/use classroom standing desks.•Acceptability decreased by child BMI >85th vs. <85th percentile for both groups.•Parental support for child standing desk use OR = 0.07 [95 % CI: 0.01–0.63; p = 0.018].•Child willingness OR = 0.13 [95 % CI 0.03–0.51, p = 0.003]).•Concerns included discomfort with standing, fidgeting and attention.

Of 50 parent-child pairs, most were willing to support/use classroom standing desks.

Acceptability decreased by child BMI >85th vs. <85th percentile for both groups.

Parental support for child standing desk use OR = 0.07 [95 % CI: 0.01–0.63; p = 0.018].

Child willingness OR = 0.13 [95 % CI 0.03–0.51, p = 0.003]).

Concerns included discomfort with standing, fidgeting and attention.

Standing desks present a novel approach to reduce sedentary time in the classroom and address cardiovascular risk factors at an early age. In the context of designing a standing desk study, parents and children were surveyed regarding their perceptions and current use of standing desks and other flexible seating.

Survey administered from January 31st to February 26th, 2024 to a convenience cohort of 50 parent–child pairs presenting for well or acute care at a pediatrics clinic affiliated with an academic institution (Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States). Logistic regression examined parent support of and child willingness to use a standing desk in the classroom.

Parents were primarily non-Hispanic, white females above 40 years of age. Child participants mean age and grade level were 10.5 years and 5th grade respectively. Among parents, 85 % (39/46) were supportive of their child’s use of a standing desk in the classroom, with 4 declining to answer. For children, almost half, 48 % (24/50), were willing to use a standing desk. Acceptability decreased for child body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile versus BMI <85th percentile (parent acceptability OR = 0.07 [95 % CI: 0.01–0.63; p = 0.018]; child acceptability: OR = 0.13 [95 % CI 0.03–0.51, p = 0.003]).

Most parents and children are amenable to use of a standing desk in the classroom. Additional information for children with elevated BMI and their parents may be required to address reservations about standing. This study was limited by its small sample size, which may not generalize to other populations.