Children's activity and diet behaviours in the summer holidays versus school year

Background: Evidence shows children gain more weight during the summer holidays versus the school year.

Objectives: To examine within-child differences in activity and diet behaviours during the summer holidays versus the school year.

Methods: Children (mean age 9.4 years; 37% male) wore accelerometers (GENEActiv; n = 133), reported activities (Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adolescents; n = 133) and parents reported child diet (n = 133) at five timepoints over 2 years capturing school and summer holiday values. Mixed-effects models were used to compare school and summer holiday behaviours.

Results: Children spent less time in moderate- to vigorous-physical activity (-12 min/day; p = 0.001) and sleep (-12 min/day; p < 0.001) and more time sedentary (+27 min/day; p < 0.001) during summer holidays versus the school year. Screentime (+70 min/day; p < 0.001), domestic/social activities (+43 min/day; p = <0.001), self-care (+24 min/day; p < 0.001), passive transport (+22 min/day; p = 0.001) and quiet time (+16 min/day; p = 0.012) were higher during the summer holidays, compensating for less time in school-related activities (-164 min/day; p < 0.001). Diet quality was lower (-4 points; p < 0.001) and children consumed fewer serves of fruit (-0.4 serves; p < 0.001) during the summer holidays versus the school year.

Conclusions: Children are displaying poorer activity and diet behaviours during the summer holidays, which may contribute to accelerated weight gain over the holiday period.