Being in a school environment may help children curb weight gain, a report suggests.
Using data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics from 5,380 5- and 6-year-olds in 310 elementary schools, researchers from Indiana University and Ohio State University found that growth in body-mass index was faster over the summer than during the school year. African-American and Hispanic children, and youngsters who were overweight at the start of kindergarten were particularly at risk for summer weight gain.
An abstract of “Changes in Children’s Body Mass Index During the School Year and During Summer Vacation” is available from the American Journal of Public Health.
