Results of a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that children gain more weight during their summer break, especially if they were already overweight to begin with.
Rebecca Franckle, lead author of the study and a doctoral student at Harvard School of Public Health, and her colleagues looked at the differences in weight gain among students during their summer break compared to their school year. The researchers also identified the children who were more at risk of gaining additional pounds during the three months kids had off of school.
"The majority of the studies we looked at demonstrated that, for at least some of the children, there was a risk for accelerated weight gain during the summer months," Franckle said to Healthday News. "And the risk was particularly high among those who were already overweight, and also among blacks and Hispanics."
The researchers reviewed seven different studies published between 2005 and 2013. Five of the studies were conducted in the United States, one in Japan, and one in Canada. The participants varied in terms of environmental settings, race, and income levels. Four studies had elementary students; two focused on middle school children; and one study was a mix of elementary and middle school students. In total, the researchers looked at the data of 10,099 children.
The analysis showed that the children's weight climbed between June and August and dropped as soon as they went back to school. The researchers could not provide an estimated gain of pounds but maintained that the trend was seen among children age 5 to 17 years old.
"The seasonal pattern is certainly striking," said added. "Now, the important question is, why is this summer acceleration happening?"
Franckle could not explain the cause but offered possible ways to help children avoid gaining more weight such as greater access to recreational facilities, exercise programs, and summer food programs.
The study was published in the June 12 issue of the CDC's Preventing Chronic Disease.
