Vending-machine junk food, too few gym classes — schools make kids fat, right? Not so, says a new study in the American Journal of Public Health, which found that 5- to 7-year-olds gain weight twice as quickly during the lazy days of summer than the busy school year. Tips for battling the bulge, from the American Dietetic Association:
• Stick to the same meal and snack schedule as during the school year. Kids are less likely to eat constantly when they follow a regular routine.
• Keep a variety of low-fat, high-fiber treats around, like fresh fruit, to encourage kids to pick healthy foods.
• Get your child outside to play tag, climb trees — anything that gets him moving instead of vegging.
• Enroll him in a class or activity he likes to put some structure into the week. Even better: Find something fun you can do together.
Parenting, July 2007