School Term vs. School Holiday: Associations with Children’s Physical Activity, Screen-Time, Diet and Sleep

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined differences in children’s health behaviors during school term (ST) versus school holiday (SH: June–July) and how associations changed when weather characteristics were considered. Children aged 5–18 years (n = 406) from a subtropical climate reported behaviors over 20 months. Multivariable regression models controlling for age, sex, race and body mass index z-score（BMIz ） were used to examine associations between SH and each behavior. A second model included heat index, precipitation and daylight hours. Strenuous activity, moderate activity, total activity and TV viewing were significantly higher during SH than ST. After adjusting for weather characteristics, total activity remained significantly higher during SH, but the association with TV viewing was attenuated. Youth surveyed during high precipitation were significantly less likely to meet physical activity guidelines. There were no significant associations between SH and meeting sleep, physical activity or screen-time guidelines. Weather characteristics influenced associations between SH and youth’s physical activity and TV viewing.

Longitudinal associations between weather, season, and mode of commuting to school among Spanish youths

“…A previous study reported similar associations between higher temperatures and ACS in children. Higher total precipitation was slightly associated with ACS choice in children, a different finding given the associations previously seen between rainfall and physical activity in general . Moreover, in a qualitative study, older adolescents reported to prefer the use of motorized transportation in rainfall conditions, but we found no association in the current study.…”

“…Higher total precipitation was slightly associated with ACS choice in children, a different finding given the associations previously seen between rainfall and physical activity in general. [26][27][28][29][30] Moreover, in a qualitative study, older adolescents reported to prefer the use of motorized transportation in rainfall conditions, 17 but we found no association in the current study. This difference might be explained by the methodology used, with the qualitative study reporting the intention of the adolescents for commuting given different rainfall conditions, while our study follows a quantitative methodology which showed how the adolescents actually commuted regardless of their preferences.…”

Children's Obesogenic Behaviors During Summer Versus School: A Within‐Person Comparison

“…Currently, only a handful of studies have examined differences in children's obesogenic behaviors during summer versus school . One cross‐sectional study reported children were more physically active and had higher TV viewing during school holidays compared to school, with no reported dietary or sleep differences .…”

“…Currently, only a handful of studies have examined differences in children's obesogenic behaviors during summer versus school . One cross‐sectional study reported children were more physically active and had higher TV viewing during school holidays compared to school, with no reported dietary or sleep differences . An analysis of secondary data of US children from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2003‐2008) reported children were more active, had less healthful diets, and watched more television during school breaks compared to school .…”

“…Although an objective measurement of PA was used, winter and summer break data were combined and 30‐day recall methods for TV and diet overlapped between school break and in‐school periods, limiting conclusions drawn solely for summer. Another key limitation is the use of a between‐subjects design employed in both of the previous studies . Despite demographic similarities, children may have different behavior patterns and between‐subjects approaches do not capture unique, intraindividual variability .…”