Research has shown that childrens' health actually declines in the summer despite images of children playing in the yard and eating fresh fruits and vegetables. According to Brenda McLaughlin in her article "Healthy Summer for Kids Turning Risk Into Opportunity" the school year provides structure for physical activity and dietary needs, especially for families who may not have access to regular meals during the summer. A sample of approximately 5,380 kindergarteners were used to detect changes in body mass index during the school year and summer. This study found that during the summer months the surveyed children gained weight at a rate of two or three times faster in the summer than the school year. The reasoning behind this is speculated to be because school limits the amount of time for eating snacks and allots structured time for physical activity.
Beyond physical health reasons alone, research has shown how nutrition and physical activity can positively affect learning. Children typically show a decline in their educational knowledge in subjects such as reading and mathematics during the summer months. Healthy habits and learning have a close connection, and there are a few steps that can be taken to ensure that children retain their overall health during the summer months.
In an interview with Dr. Stephen Pont, he reconfirms the data that children tend to gain weight during the summer months because of mindless eating, less activity and later bed times. Shae Gawlak in her article "Top Ten Summer Healthy Tips for Kids" states that children should get between 8-10 hours of sleep at night in order to fully recover from activity and heat. Dr. Pont suggests that families should take advantage of schools' playgrounds, parks and summer camps. Families can do activities together such as taking walks, playing games or going to a gym. Children should get at least 60 minutes of physical movement each day.
Shae Gawlak suggests that children should never skip breakfast and make sure their plates are at least half full with fruits and vegetables. When playing outside children should reach for water instead of soda, especially to prevent heat exhaustion. Children partaking in activities such as rollerblading, biking and skateboarding should wear safety equipment to prevent injuries and whether it is sunny or cloudy, they should wear sunscreen.
Summer is a great time for children to continue to gain health and knowledge. It is critical to incorporate healthy meals into daily routines, physical activity and making sure they are getting adequate sleep. These steps will help children continue to be healthy in the summer and throughout the year.
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