Summer Abundance?
Excite News - Study Finds Kids Gain Weight Over Summer
The nation’s schools, under fire for unhealthy school lunches, well-stocked vending machines and phys ed cuts, may actually do a better job than parents in keeping children fit and trim. A study found that 5- and 6-year-olds gained more weight over the summer than during the school year, casting doubt on the assumption that kids are more active during summer vacation.The findings don’t reveal what’s behind the out-of-school weight gain, but the researchers speculate it’s because the summer months lack the structure of the school year with all its activities and daily comings and goings.
The first thing I thought of when I read this was that perhaps it is a genetic response to centuries of expecting a lean winter. It would be interesting to see whether the summer weight gain is restricted to kids (at which point an activity vs calories assumption could be pursued) or whether adults gain weight as well (supporting the genetic theory.)