While many kids in Canada are just starting back-to-school preparations, many others are already back running and playing on the school playground. Should more schools consider a shorter summer break? One University of Guelph health researcher says it could help promote a healthier lifestyle among kids.
Dr. Lori Ann Vallis, professor in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Studies, examines how an active lifestyle can influence children’s health through her work with the Guelph Family Health Study.
She says that some research has found children who go to school on a September-to-June schedule experience more unhealthy changes in the summer compared to students attending school year-round.
Back-to-school offers structure
Summer months often lack structure, she says, leading to more screen time and sedentary behaviour, more unhealthy foods, changes in sleep schedules and sometimes weight gain.
“There is a theory called the ‘structured-days hypothesis’ that posits when compulsory, pre-planned and adult-supervised structure provided by the school day is taken away, children engage in more unhealthy behaviours,” Vallis says.
Health Canada recommends children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Vallis says a regular school schedule can help with reaching this goal.
“Scheduled activities at school like gym class, for younger children, can help facilitate this,” she says. “But the health benefits are the same if the 60 minutes accumulate throughout the day, like riding a bike to school or playing tag at recess.”
Vallis adds it’s important to remember that every family situation is different.
“Some families can ensure their children are active all year round, even in the unstructured summer months, via enrollment in activity camps or through family outings when they can take time off to engage in family-based, fun summer activities that keep kids moving,” she says.
“Other families may not have this flexibility due to financial, work or other pressures. So, they could potentially benefit from year-round structured school-based activities.”
Vallis is available for interviews.
Contact:
Dr. Lori Ann Vallis
lvallis@uoguelph.ca