The EnergyKids Pilot Study: Comparing Energy Balance of Primary School Children during School and Summer Camp.

Cinzia Franchini,Francesca Scazzina,Alice Rosi,Cristian Ricci

doi:10.3390/nu13010092

Abstract

Children’s energy requirements may vary during school and summer camp days. To evaluate energy balance during these two periods, seventy-eight children (45% females, 8–10 years) living in Parma, Italy, were enrolled in this observational study. Participants completed a 3-day food diary and wore an activity tracker for three consecutive days during a school- and a summer camp-week to estimate energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (TEE). Height and body weight were measured at the beginning of each period to define children’s weight status. BMI and EI (school: 1692 ± 265 kcal/day; summer camp: 1738 ± 262 kcal/day) were similar during both periods. Both physical activity and TEE (summer camp: 1948 ± 312; school: 1704 ± 263 kcal/day) were higher during summer camp compared to school time. Therefore, energy balance was more negative during summer camp (−209 ± 366 kcal/day) compared to school time (−12 ± 331 kcal/day). Similar results were observed when males and females were analyzed separately but, comparing the sexes, males had a higher TEE and a more negative energy balance than females, during both periods. The results strongly suggest that an accurate evaluation of children’s energy balance, that considers both diet and physical activity, is needed when planning adequate diets for different situations.

Highlights

The ages corresponding to a child’s growth and development are a period of life characterized by an increase of organ size and the development of new functions; these changes entail the synthesis and deposition of new tissue, and, as a consequence, an increase of energy requirements [1]
No differences were found for height and BMI, while body weight was significantly higher during school days (p = 0.027)
The children’s distribution among the BMI categories was similar between the two assessment periods and no significant association was found between weight status and attending school or summer camp (X2 = 0.664; df: 3; p = 0.882)

Summary

Introduction

The ages corresponding to a child’s growth and development are a period of life characterized by an increase of organ size and the development of new functions; these changes entail the synthesis and deposition of new tissue, and, as a consequence, an increase of energy requirements [1]. It is essential to always have an adequate energy intake (EI) to cover the organism’s needs, maintain physiological homeostasis, and ensure proper growth during childhood [2]. The daily energy requirement is based on the total energy expenditure (TEE) and is defined as the number of calories necessary to satisfy the TEE in a healthy and active organism [3]. The equilibrium between intake and expenditure of energy is called energy balance and is controlled by a neuroendocrine feedback mechanism, which regulates the food intake based on the body’s energy reserves and maintains body weight over time [2,3]. Maintaining energy balance is essential to allow for adequate growth and for the full expression of a child’s biological and social potential. Positive and negative energy balance conditions, if prolonged, are related to obesity or undernourishment and weight loss, respectively [4]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion