Tim Olds, Dorothea Dumuid, Emily Eglitis, Rebecca Golley, François Fraysse, Aaron Miatke, Grant R Tomkinson, Amanda Watson, Mason Munzberg, Carol Maher
Journal: BMC public health 2023;23(1):2094
PMID: 37880621
Physical fitness and body composition play a crucial role in the overall health and wellbeing of children. Poor physical fitness and increased fatness are associated with long-term negative health outcomes. The study aimed to compare the rates of change in fitness and fatness during the in-school periods and summer holidays among Australian schoolchildren. A secondary aim was to explore whether these rates differed according to sex, socio-economic status (SES), pubertal status, and weight status. This study was a 2-year longitudinal cohort study involving 381 children initially in Grade 4 (around 9 years old). Results showed that: - during the summer holidays, percentage body fat increased at a greater rate compared to the in-school periods. - aerobic fitness, measured by the 20-m shuttle run, declined more rapidly during the holidays. - increases in body fat during the holidays were more pronounced in children who were overweight and from low-socio-economic status families. Similarly, declines in aerobic fitness were more significant in overweight children. Authors concluded that their findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the summer holiday deficits in children’s fitness and percentage body fat, particularly among low-socio-economic status and overweight populations.
BACKGROUND
Emerging evidence suggests that children's fatness increases and fitness declines at a greater rate during the summer holiday period, compared with the school year. The aim of this study was to compare rates of change in fitness and fatness over the in-term and summer holiday periods among Australian schoolchildren. A secondary aim was to explore whether rates of change differed according to the child's sex, socio-economic status (SES), pubertal status and weight status.
METHODS
Children (n = 381) initially in Grade 4 (age 9) were recruited for this 2-year longitudinal study. Fatness (% body fat, BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio) and fitness (20-m shuttle run and standing broad jump) were measured at the start and end of two consecutive years. Rates of change were calculated for the two in-school periods (Grades 4 and 5) and for the summer holiday period. Rates of change in fatness and fitness between in-school and holiday periods were compared, and differences in rates of change according to sex, socio-economic status, and weight status were explored.
RESULTS
During the holidays, percentage body fat increased at a greater rate (annualised rate of change [RoC]: +3.9 vs. Grade 4 and + 4.7 vs. Grade 5), and aerobic fitness declined at a greater rate (RoC - 4.7 vs. Grade 4 and - 4.4 vs. Grade 5), than during the in-school periods. There were no differences in rates of change for BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio or standing broad jump. Body fatness increased faster in the holidays (relative to the in-school period) in children who are overweight and from low-SES families. Aerobic fitness declined more rapidly in the holidays in children who are overweight.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights that during the summer holiday period, children experience greater increases in fatness and declines in fitness, with children who live with low-SES families and are overweight being more affected. The findings suggest the need for targeted interventions during this period to address these negative health trends.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, identifier ACTRN12618002008202. Retrospectively registered on 14 December 2018.
© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.
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