Diet and Physical Activity in African-American Girls: Seasonal Differences

Diet and physical activity (PA) may vary by season.

Two 24-hour dietary recalls and 7 days of accelerometry were collected from 342 8-10 year-old African-American girls between January 2013 and October 2014. Season was based on time of data collection (fall, spring, winter, summer). Seasonal differences in diet and PA were assessed.

Mean age was 8.9 years; 53% were low income. Girls with summer baseline data collection reported consuming significantly less 100% fruit juice than those with winter and spring data. Summer dairy consumption was significantly lower than the other 3 seasons for low-income girls. Significantly more desserts were consumed during winter than in spring or summer. Significantly more sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were consumed during spring and summer for all girls than in the fall. Steps per day for all girls and the low-income girls were significantly lower in summer compared to the other seasons.

Higher consumption SSBs and lower steps per day during the summer are a concern, particulary for African-American girls at high risk for obesity. Interventions to address these seasonal differences should be initiated.