Structured school holidays can keep kids active during break: Study
Washington (US), April 15: Everyone looks forward to the school holidays since it is a respite from the daily routine, classes, and getting ready on time. However, despite the obvious positives, it can have some drawbacks for children.
According to researchers, when primary school children are on holiday, they're less active, more likely to be on screens, and tend to have a worse diet than during the school term.
The findings were published in the journal 'Pediatric Obesity'.
Researchers discovered that over the holidays, children were likely to be 12 minutes less active each day, 27 minutes more sedentary, and had more than an hour more screen time, based on responses from 358 primary school kids (Grades 4 and 5).
Children (ages 9-10) spent 39% more time using screens during the school holidays than during the school year.
According to Dr Amanda Watson of the UniSA, children exercise less and eat more unhealthy food during the holidays, which may contribute to accelerated weight gain and poor health.
"Our study shows that during school holidays, children are more likely to display unhealthy behaviours, such as being less active, spending more time sitting, eating more junk food, and (perhaps unsurprisingly) watching a whole lot more TV or screens," Dr Watson says.
"Of course, it is important for children to get some quality downtime over the school break, but it's equally important that they stay active and get enough exercise."
Dr Watson added, "If we add more structure to children's days in the holidays - regular activities, planned lunch and snack breaks, as well as a limit on the amount of screen time kids have - we could encourage healthier behaviours to benefit them now and in the future."
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In Australia, one in every four children (25%) is overweight or obese, which contributes to worse health and well-being as well as a worse performance at school.
According to Professor Carol Maher, a senior researcher at the University of South Australia, screen time is one of the most significant risk factors for children's inactivity.
"Managing screen time is a challenge for many parents, and not only in the holidays," Prof Maher said.
"Being inactive for extended periods, either watching TV or playing games, is not good for anyone's health, not the least children. So, when research shows us that even one extra hour of screen time a day corresponds with a 13 per cent increased risk of obesity, it is time to rethink computer time."
"Everyone can benefit from being more active. These holidays could be just what you need to make more positive changes to your and your children's activity levels, overall well-being and health."
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- ANI
