Understanding differences between summer vs. school obesogenic behaviors of children: the structured days hypothesis

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the scientific community has acknowledged modest improvements can be made to weight status and obesogenic behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sedentary/screen time, diet, and sleep) during the school year, studies suggests improvements are erased as elementary-age children are released to summer vacation. Emerging evidence shows children return to school after summer vacation displaying accelerated weight gain compared to the weight gained occurring during the school year. Understanding how summer days differ from when children are in school is, therefore, essential.DiscussionThere is limited evidence on the etiology of accelerated weight gain during summer, with few studies comparing obesogenic behaviors on the same children during school and summer. For many children, summer days may be analogous to weekend days throughout the school year. Weekend days are often limited in consistent and formal structure, and thus differ from school days where segmented, pre-planned, restrictive, and compulsory components exist that shape obesogenic behaviors. The authors hypothesize that obesogenic behaviors are beneficially regulated when children are exposed to a structured day (i.e., school weekday) compared to what commonly occurs during summer. This is referred to as the ‘Structured Days Hypothesis’ (SDH). To illustrate how the SDH operates, this study examines empirical data that compares weekend day (less-structured) versus weekday (structured) obesogenic behaviors in U.S. elementary school-aged children. From 190 studies, 155 (~80%) demonstrate elementary-aged children’s obesogenic behaviors are more unfavorable during weekend days compared to weekdays.ConclusionIn light of the SDH, consistent evidence demonstrates the structured environment of weekdays may help to protect children by regulating obesogenic behaviors, most likely through compulsory physical activity opportunities, restricting caloric intake, reducing screen time occasions, and regulating sleep schedules. Summer is emerging as the critical period where childhood obesity prevention efforts need to be focused. The SDH can help researchers understand the drivers of obesogenic behaviors during summer and lead to innovative intervention development.

Investigating Adolescent Girls' Perceptions and Experiences of School‐Based Physical Activity to Inform the Girls' Peer Activity Intervention Study

“…This exploration study primarily focused on intrapersonal and interpersonal factors (ie, perceived competence, enjoyment, and peer support) but organizational and environmental factors such as the school structure and setting also play a key role in girls' PA behaviors . Similar to previous research, this exploration study found that girls are more active in school than out of school, providing support for the structure of the school day positively influencing PA behaviors …”

“…Adolescent girls are more active during the school day compared to weekends and evenings . This is linked to the structured nature of the school day and numerous opportunities for PA (eg, physical education [PE] lessons and break‐times) . Thus , schools are a popular and accessible setting for PA promotion among adolescents.…”

Project SWEAT (Summer Weight and Environmental Assessment Trial): study protocol of an observational study using a multistate, prospective design that examines the weight gain trajectory among a racially and ethnically diverse convenience sample of economically disadvantaged school-age children

“…Based on these findings, it was concluded that it is not the type of programming, but rather mere engagement in structured programming that may lead to protection of weight gain 8. Importantly, these results align with the Structured Days Hypothesis9 which posits that exposure to a non-independent or structured environment (eg, week days during the school year) is beneficial to a child’s obesogenic behaviours and weight status. Also, results from this previous study8 corroborate with other similar studies demonstrating that routine participation in structured programming during the summer—summer school10 or summer programming11–15—may be beneficial to child weight status.…”

Mitigate the effects of home confinement on children during the COVID-19 outbreak

“…3,4 Evidence suggests that when children are out of school (eg, weekends and summer holidays), they are physically less active, have much longer screen time, irregular sleep patterns, and less favourable diets, resulting in weight gain and a loss of cardiorespiratory fitness. 3,4 Evidence suggests that when children are out of school (eg, weekends and summer holidays), they are physically less active, have much longer screen time, irregular sleep patterns, and less favourable diets, resulting in weight gain and a loss of cardiorespiratory fitness.…”

“…Stressors such as prolonged duration, fears of infection, frustration and boredom, inadequate information, lack of in-person contact with classmates, friends, and teachers, lack of personal space at home, and family financial loss can have even more problematic and enduring effects on children and adolescents. 3 In the event of home confinement, parents are often the closest and best resource for children to seek help from. Furthermore, the interaction between lifestyle changes and psychosocial stress caused by home confinement could further aggravate the detrimental effects on child physical and mental health, which could cause a vicious circle.…”