Dataset Information

Children's Health, Wellbeing and Academic Outcomes over the Summer Holidays: A Scoping Review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The school day provides a supportive and stimulating environment that may protect children and adolescents (5-18 years) from behaviours that are adverse for health and wellbeing.

Objective

To review the literature regarding changes in children's academic achievement or overall wellbeing during the extended school summer break and evaluate if the outcomes are different for children experiencing disadvantage.

Methods

The peer-reviewed literature was searched across six electronic databases for studies tracking changes in any academic, health or wellbeing outcome in children over the summer holidays. Studies were screened in duplicate for inclusion. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction form. Outcomes were coded as decline (suggestive or significant), increase (suggestive or significant) or mixed/neutral and then compared to the school year or according to disadvantaged.

Results

Seventy-six studies (n = 14,230,846 participants) were included. Strong evidence was found of a decline in academic outcomes and increases in adiposity, sedentary behaviour and screen time. There was moderate evidence of declines in cardiovascular fitness and physical activity. These patterns were magnified for disadvantaged children. Limited data were available on muscular fitness, sleep, diet quality and social, emotional or mental wellbeing. A total of 80% of studies were from the United States. Most data were from children 12 years of age and younger.

Conclusions

Over the summer break, children's academic and health outcomes decline. Children experiencing disadvantage display magnified losses that warrant further investigation. The summer holidays present an opportunity to improve children's health and wellbeing.

SUBMITTER: Eglitis E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10969660 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Children's Health, Wellbeing and Academic Outcomes over the Summer Holidays: A Scoping Review.

Eglitis Emily E Miatke Aaron A Virgara Rosa R Machell Amanda A Olds Timothy T Richardson Mandy M Maher Carol C

Children (Basel, Switzerland) 20240227 3

<h4>Background</h4>The school day provides a supportive and stimulating environment that may protect children and adolescents (5-18 years) from behaviours that are adverse for health and wellbeing.<h4>Objective</h4>To review the literature regarding changes in children's academic achievement or overall wellbeing during the extended school summer break and evaluate if the outcomes are different for children experiencing disadvantage.<h4>Methods</h4>The peer-reviewed literature was searched across ...[more]

PMID: 38539322

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Dataset Information

Children's Health, Wellbeing and Academic Outcomes over the Summer Holidays: A Scoping Review.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Children's Health, Wellbeing and Academic Outcomes over the Summer Holidays: A Scoping Review.

Similar Datasets

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