Australia’s childhood obesity crisis blamed on the school holidays 

The school holidays are the reason an increasing number of Australian children are becoming obese, experts say. 

Children across the nation are currently enjoying a break from class, with research showing they will sleep longer, spend more time in front of screens and eat more while they are away from school.

Professor Tim Olds, from the University of South Australia, has now suggested the six week break over the summer holidays needs to be shortened to fix the problem.

Experts say that school holidays are the reason that an increasing number of children are becoming obese (stock image)

‘In a typical holiday day, a child will spend 10 minutes less being vigorously physically active and they will spend an extra 60 minutes in front of the television,’ Professor Olds told Seven News

In addition with a hunger for junk food, and an extra 40 minutes of sleep each day, the bad habits will cause children to gain weight.

Although they return to a more active lifestyle when back at school, it’s likely they will never lose the weight they gained.

Mr Olds also said children will consume an average of an extra 100 calories each day while on break.

Children across Australia are currently on school holidays and research shows that they will sleep longer, spend more time in front of screens and eat more (stock image)

Children across Australia are currently on school holidays and research shows that they will sleep longer, spend more time in front of screens and eat more (stock image)

‘Across a 10-week holiday period, this difference, uncompensated by dietary adjustment, would equate to an extra kilogram of body fat,’ Professor Olds told news.com.au.

He also said that the phenomenon is worse for lower income families, as they can’t afford to put their children into sports.

Professor Olds is set to carry out the first ever Australian research test in order to find out of the phenomenon is prevalent across the country.

He suggests trimming the lengths of the summer school holidays, as he believes the home environment is toxic for children.      



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