Weight‐Related Behaviors When Children Are in School Versus on Summer Breaks: Does Income Matter?. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Y. Claire; Vine, Seanna; Hsiao, Amber; Rundle, Andrew; Goldsmith, Jeff
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 85:Number 7(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 458
• Page End: 466
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="josh12274-abs-0001"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="josh12274-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p id="josh12274-para-0001">Income disparities in US youth in academic achievement appear to widen during the summer because of discontinued learning among children from lower‐income households. Little is known about whether behavioral risk factors for childhood obesity, such as diet and physical activity, also demonstrate a widening difference by income when children are out of school.</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12274-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p id="josh12274-para-0002">Data from US children in grades 1‐12 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003‐2008 (N = 6796) were used to estimate screen time, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and consumption of calories, vegetables, and added sugar. Linear regression was used to compare among children of households ≤185% and >185% poverty, as well as during the school year versus on school breaks.</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12274-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p id="josh12274-para-0003">Children surveyed during summer breaks consumed fewer vegetables (−0.2 cups/day) and more added sugar (+2.1 teaspoons/day), were more active (+4.6 MVPA minutes/day) and watched more television (+18 minutes/day). However, the nonsignificant interaction between school breaks and income indicated that lower‐income students were not "less healthy" than higher‐income students during the summer breaks.</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12274-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSION</title> <p id="josh12274-para-0004">Obesity‐related risk factors were more prevalent during the summer and among lower‐income youths, but the income disparity in these behaviors was not exacerbated when schools are not in session.</p> </sec> </abstract>