The Impact of Structured versus Less-Structured Days on Weight-Related Behaviors in Rural Children

Abstract

Research utilizing the ‘Structured Days Hypothesis’ suggests that children’s weight-related behaviors are more favorable on days with more structure, routine, and consistency. The purpose of this study was to investigate weight-related behaviors of rural children on ‘structured’ versus ‘less-structured’ days. A 14-day repeated measures observational study was conducted of 52 parent-child dyads (child mean age 9.2 ± SD 1.9 years; 60% female). Participating parents/guardians reported evening screen-time and sleep (duration and timing). Mixed effect models compared behaviors between structured (e.g., school or camp day) and less-structured days (no formal program). Parent reported sleep duration of their child was −63 minutes/night less (95%CI: −74.6, −50.7 min/night), bed/wake times were earlier, and all children engaged in less screen time after 8:00PM on structured days compared to less-structured days (−34.5 min, 95%CI: −42.0, −27.1). Initial evidence suggests that on structured days children engage in favorable weight-related behaviors compared to less-structured days. Additional research with larger and more diverse samples of rural children is warranted; however, given preliminary findings social work practitioners in rural communities should increase social service-related program and planning that promote interventions focused on positive changes in children’s weight related behaviors.