Childhood obesity rates rise during holidays: researchers find

It is difficult to make a dent in the growing problem of childhood obesity just by focusing on school food and physical education programs because childhood obesity rates jump during the holidays, according to a new study.

A team of researchers led by Associate Prof. Paul Von Hippel of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at University of Texas, Austin, examined body mass index (BMI) and obesity prevalence of more than 18,000 kids from the beginning of kindergarten in 2010 till the end of second grade in 2013.

They found that childhood obesity and overweight rates among school children significantly jumped during the holidays.

Sharing findings of the study, Hippel said, “Kids are gaining BMI at healthy rates during the school year, and then becoming overweight when school lets out. We can't make a dent in this problem if we continue to focus on school food and physical education programs that affect children only when they're at school.”

Supporting the study, Australian dietitian Melanie McGrice suggested that parents need to be extra watchful about the number of treats and fast foods they allow their children to consume during the holidays.

The findings of the new study were detailed in the latest edition of the journal Obesity, a peer-reviewed periodical that publishes original research articles, reviews and clinical studies in all areas of obesity.