This is interesting… For all the flak that public schools take over their meal programs, reducing the frequency of physical education classes, etc., it seems that they may be doing a better job than the average parent when it comes to keeping kids healthy. Indeed, a recent study revealed that 5 and 6 year olds gain more weight (measured in terms of body mass index, or BMI) during the summer than during the school year. While the researchers are unsure of the cause, they suspect it has to do with more free time to lay around, snack, watch TV, and watch video games. Once kids returned to scale, the monthly growth rates of their BMIs fell.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but our kids are way more active in the summer. Then again, my lovely and talented wife is a stay-at-home-mom, so she keeps them busy with trips to the pool, playing outside, etc.
[Source: CNN/Health]
That doesn’t surprise me. It’s tough getting our little ones outside - they much rather play video games.
Comment by financial hack — Mar 16th 2007 @ 11:43 am
While I am sure that sitting around inside plays a big part, another part could be explained by average growth rates in children that age. Although I suppose if the BMI goes back down the next school year, that doesn’t really explain it.
Comment by Blaine Moore — Mar 16th 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Well, with a lot of parents (in the UK at least) working full time to pay their mortgages, there is very little time to supervise the kids in outdoor play and other activities.
There has also been a reduction in the amount of time children are allowed to exercise at school. break and lunch times have been cut down, and so has the time allocated for PE and Games. There is too much emphasis on education.
Comment by Marieke — Mar 17th 2007 @ 6:50 pm