Introduction
Several studies have reported that children gain more weight during the summer season.
Despite high obesity rates, little research has included American Indian/Alaskan Native
children, and few studies have been longitudinal. This observational study examines
seasonal weight variability over 3.5 years among ethnically diverse children, including
2,184 American Indian/Alaskan Native children.
Methods
Children's height and weight were measured before and after the summer from 2012–2015
and analyzed in 2019–2020, including children with ≥2 consecutive measurements (N=7,890,
mean age=8.4 [SD=2.8] years). Mixed-effects models tested whether the percentage of
the 95th BMI percentile and BMI differed by season (summer versus the rest of the
year) and ethnicity.
Results
American Indian/Alaskan Native (23.7%), Hispanic (19.8%), and Black (17.8%) children
had significantly higher baseline obesity rates than White children (7.1%). The percentage
of the 95th BMI percentile significantly increased during the summer compared with
the percentage during the rest of the year, with the strongest effects for children
who were obese (b=2.69, 95% CI=1.35, 4.03, p<0.001) or overweight (b=1.47, 95% CI=0.56, 2.35, p<0.01). In BMI units, summer BMI increase was 0.50 kg/m2 higher (obese model) and 0.27 kg/m2 higher (overweight) than that of the rest of the year. Seasonal effects were significantly
less pronounced for American Indian/Alaskan Native children than for White children.
Conclusions
Children gained significantly more weight during the summer season, with the strongest
effects for children who were obese. American Indian/Alaskan Native children had less
seasonal variability than White children, but higher overall obesity rates. These
data underscore summer as a critical time for obesity prevention among children who
are overweight/obese but suggest that seasonal patterns may vary for American Indian/Alaskan
Native children.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: February 22, 2021
Identification
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© 2021 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
