Holidays a fat trap for kids

THE summer school holidays should be reduced in a bid to halt the childhood obesity epidemic, experts say.

Millions of Australian schoolchildren are on holidays now, and research shows they will sleep 40 minutes longer and spend 60 minutes more each day in front of screens while on the break. They are likely to eat more junk food, expend 5 per cent less energy and perform 15 fewer minutes of vigorous physical activity than when at school, University of South Australia researcher Tim Olds says.

The bad habits cause them to gain weight while on holidays and even though they return to a more active lifestyle when school returns, they never fully lose all the weight they gained during the break.

“Across a 10-week holiday period, this difference, uncompensated by dietary adjustment, would equate to an extra kilogram of body fat,” Professor Olds said.

One in four Australian kids are already overweight or obese, setting them up for a lifetime of health problems, and research suggests most of the extra weight is stacked on during school holidays.

A 2016 UK study found children’s body mass index (BMI) more than doubled over the summer break. A US study of more than 18,000 primary school children found the prevalence of obesity rose from 8.9 per cent to 11.5 per cent.

Prof Olds will next year carry out the first Australian research to test if the holiday weight-gain phenomenon happens here. At least 300 children will wear Fitbits and their time use, diet, fitness and school performance will be measured for three years.

“If it is confirmed in Australia that the home environment is toxic for children, the more time they spend at school the better,” he said. “Schools are really doing a good job.”

Public Health Association chief Terry Slevin said the findings are a wake-up call for parents, who should see holidays as an opportunity.

“It’s a time for new adventures like a long pushbike ride, learning new skills with a ball or a bat or a racquet,” he said.