School Term vs. School Holiday: Associations with Children’s Physical Activity, Screen-Time, Diet and Sleep

Amanda E. Staiano, Stephanie T. Broyles and Peter T. Katzmarzyk
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Amanda E. Staiano: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA
Stephanie T. Broyles: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA
Peter T. Katzmarzyk: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: This cross-sectional study examined differences in children’s health behaviors during school term (ST) versus school holiday (SH: June–July) and how associations changed when weather characteristics were considered. Children aged 5–18 years (n = 406) from a subtropical climate reported behaviors over 20 months. Multivariable regression models controlling for age, sex, race and body mass index z-score?BMIz ? were used to examine associations between SH and each behavior. A second model included heat index, precipitation and daylight hours. Strenuous activity, moderate activity, total activity and TV viewing were significantly higher during SH than ST. After adjusting for weather characteristics, total activity remained significantly higher during SH, but the association with TV viewing was attenuated. Youth surveyed during high precipitation were significantly less likely to meet physical activity guidelines. There were no significant associations between SH and meeting sleep, physical activity or screen-time guidelines. Weather characteristics influenced associations between SH and youth’s physical activity and TV viewing.

Keywords: weather; humidity; temperature; health behavior; sedentary lifestyle; child; adolescent (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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