The proverbial morning school bell has rung its final ring, and alarm clocks are set to “off” instead of “snooze.” Late mornings are a prelude to later nights, and dog days takes on a more profound meaning. This is the nature of summer.
The less regimented summer season leaves children with more time, freedom and personal discretion over diet, a potential recipe for weight gain. The school year generally offers a more structured schedule, including a regimented lunch time, which is fast forgotten in the glory of a freezer sky high with microwave meals and ice cream.
Kindergartners and first graders experienced an elevated Body Mass Index in the summer months than during the school year, according to a 1998-2000 National Center for Education Statistics survey. The B.M.I. formula measures total body fat against height and weight. The NCES study evaluated 310 schools and 5,380 5-and 6-year-olds nationally. Black and Hispanic children, who represent high-risk groups for obesity, are especially susceptible to summer weight gain.
In the absence of parents or teachers to monitor meals—or in the presence of caregivers who babysit children with TV and Hot Pockets— children have authority to modify eating habits as they see fit. The hot summer months can also encourage bouts of laziness, promoting idleness.
While it’s possible that summer could lead to weight gain, I wonder whether those figures might be out of date. With so many schools giving up active recess times and installing vending machines, today’s kids might be getting more activity in summer camps and sports programs.