It's easy to blame schools for the childhood obesity epidemic. After all, until recently, unhealthy snacks and beverages were available to children both during the school day and after school. But according to new research from Ohio State University, school provides a structured environment similar to the workweek for adults, in which students have less access to food, healthier choices of food, and more activity than they do at home.

The study used data from a survey of over 5,000 students throughout the United States and found that BMI measurements of overweight children rose more than three times faster during summer vacation than during the school year. Interestingly, those with racial and ethnic predisposition for obesity had higher BMIs than those without racial and ethnic predisposition only during the summer - not during the school year.

Study authors conclude that while schools can do a better job in teaching children about healthy food and activity choices, the major part of the childhood obesity problem lies outside of school.

Labels: body_mass_index, education, schools