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Physiological mechanisms underlying children's circannual growth patterns and their contributions to the obesity epidemic in elementary school age children
Author(s) -
Moreno Jennette P.,
Crowley Stephanie J.,
Alfano Candice A.,
Thompson Debbe
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/obr.12973
Subject(s) - circannual rhythm , seasonality , obesity , demography , body mass index , body height , body weight , medicine , psychology , pediatrics , developmental psychology , biology , endocrinology , ecology , circadian rhythm , sociology
Summary Several studies since the 1990s have demonstrated that children increase their body mass index at a faster rate during summer months compared with the school year, leading some to conclude that the out‐of‐school summer environment is responsible. Other studies, however, have suggested that seasonality may play a role in children's height and weight changes across the year. This article reviews evidence for seasonal differences in the rate of children's height and weight gain and proposes potential physiological mechanisms that may explain these seasonal variations.