There’s a dark side to school holidays?

The school holidays, a time cherished by children and parents alike, offer a chance for rest, relaxation, and quality family time. But have you ever stopped to wonder for a second if these seemingly carefree breaks could be secretly jeopardising your child’s health?

Prepare to be shocked as we delve into groundbreaking research that exposes the hidden dangers of school holidays, where screen time soars, activity plummets, and unhealthy habits take hold.

What’s the impact of school holidays?

School Holiday

The first-ever study of its kind in Australia, from the University of South Australia, has lifted the veil on what really happens when school’s out. Their findings paint a concerning picture: during these cherished breaks, children become less active, spend excessive time on screens, and develop poor dietary habits.

According to the research, children were found to be 12 minutes less active each day and spent an additional 27 minutes being sedentary during the holidays. Shockingly, screen time skyrocketed, with children spending 39% more time on screens than during the school year. This translates to over an hour of extra screen time per day.

Dr Amanda Watson, a researcher involved in the study, expressed concern over the unhealthy behaviours exhibited by children during school holidays. “Our study shows that during school holidays, children are more likely to display unhealthy behaviours, such as being less active, spending more time sitting, eating more junk food, and (perhaps unsurprisingly) watching a whole lot more TV or screens,” Dr Watson revealed.

The consequences of these habits are far-reaching, as the study highlights the association between holiday behaviours and accelerated weight gain, as well as compromised overall health.

In Australia, where 25% of children are already overweight or obese, these findings raise serious concerns about the well-being of our young population.

Professor Carol Maher, a senior researcher at UniSA, emphasised the impact of screen time on children’s inactivity. “Managing screen time is a huge challenge for many parents, and not only in the holidays,” Professor Maher acknowledged. “Being inactive for extended periods, either watching TV or playing games, is not good for anyone’s health, not the least children.”

It’s never too late to act! Can play help?

It’s time to take control, concerned parents! Let’s rewrite the rules and transform our children’s school holidays into a haven of health and happiness. Experts reveal the secrets to success – inject fun and structure into your child’s holiday routine.

Discover the power of engaging activities, scheduled breaks for wholesome meals and snacks, and firm limits on screen time.

Parents, as we all reflect on the upcoming school holidays, ask yourself: Are we allowing the precious moments of our children’s lives to slip away, buried beneath a screen and a bag of chips? Or can we rise above the challenges, reclaim their health and happiness, and create a holiday filled with connection, adventure, and growth?

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