If the big holidays are eagerly awaited by children, they would have unexpected consequences on their growth.
The growth of children can depend on many factors. According to their DNA, the activities they do or their activities, they can grow up more easily than other children. Moreover, a study has shown that sleep has a determining role in the growth of children.
More does the time of year also have an impact on this growth? That’s the question asked by nurses at the Child Nutrition Research Center in Houston.
They observed the children’s BMI and height for a period of 5 years. The results of this study were recently published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology. and they bring to light a curious phenomenon.
A decrease in growth observed during the summer
The primary aim of the study was toobserve the rate of growth of children between the end of kindergarten and the last year of primary school. In order to monitor the progress of the children as closely as possible, readings were taken every two months.
The nurses measured children’s height, noted the weight and then calculated the BMI. At the end of the 5 years, they then analyzed all the data to see if there was any form of seasonality. They then noticed that there was no no variation in children’s weight, regardless of the time of year.
On the other hand, they saw that the size could be impacted by the seasons. Indeed, they observed that the children grew steadily throughout the school year. However, growth slowed during major holidays. However, this can have consequences on the health of children.
Increased risk of obesity in children?
In effect, if height is not proportional to weight, BMI is impacted. On the body of children, this translates into overweight or obesity. When the start of the school year approaches, the children can therefore be a little more chubby than at the start of the holidays. But at present, the reasons for this decline is still unknown.
Nurses must continue research to understand the origin of this slowed growth. Their first hypotheses evoke the school rhythm and the activities imposed on the children. These could promote growth and explain the regularity of height over much of the year.
To limit this phenomenon, children can continue to do sports such as swimming, cycling or summer sports. But it must remain on the order of pleasure so that the summer holidays remain holidays!
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