Results
overweight
HOLIDAYS, HOLIDAY
Participant characteristics are shown in Table 
Participant characteristicsData are shown for the outcome with the largest sample size (n = 156 for SBJ)BMI = Body Mass Index; SES = socio-economic statusTable 
Observed rates of change (means, SDs) for fatness and fitness outcomes across the study timepoints.%BF = percentage body fat; ∆T1-start = annualised rate of changed from T1 to start of holidays; ∆Start-End = annualised rate of change from start to end of holidays; ∆End-T5 = annualised rate of change from end of holidays to T5; SBJ = standing broad jump (cm); T1 = timepoint 1 (February-April); T5 = timepoint 5 (November-December); V̇O
Visualisation of the observed rates of change in fatness and fitness across Grade 4, Grade 5 and the holiday period. Filled symbols represent measured values and empty symbols extrapolated valuesPercentage body fat increased at a faster rate during the holidays than during the in-school periods. The rate of increase in %BF was significantly higher in the holidays than in the Grade 5 school year (by + 4.7%BF/year; p = 0.030; Table 
Annualised rates of change in fatness and fitness metrics during the holiday periods compared to in-school periodsThe table depicts the differences in annualised rates of change (and 95% CIs) during the holiday period compared to the two in-school periods (School Year Grade 4 and School Year Grade 5). For example, during the holiday period, body fat percentage increased at a rate of 4.7%BF/year more than during Grade 5.BF = percentage body fat; SBJ = standing broad jump (cm); V̇OWe next explored whether differences in rates of change (holidays vs. school years) varied according to socio-demographic characteristics (sex, SES, pubertal status, weight status; Table 
Comparative annuaslised rates of change in fatness and fitness metrics by socio-demographic categories: holiday vs. in-school periodsThe table delineates the variations in annualised rates of change (accompanied by 95% CIs) during the holiday period, contrasted against the Grade 4 and Grade 5 in-school periods, segmented by socio-demographic categories. For instance, in the context of body fat percentage (%BF), the rate of change during the holidays compared to the Grade 5 in-school period was notably higher (p = 0.020) in overweight children by + 11.9%BF/year when compared to normal-weight children (who serve as the reference category). In terms of Socioeconomic Status (SES), a 1 SD increase in the SES z-score was associated with a decrease of 9.4%BF/year in the rate of change in %BF during holidays versus the Grade 5 in-school period.Models were mutually adjusted for all covariates, and random intercepts were used to account for nesting of observations within participants, within schools, within study waves. Note: p < 0.05 shown in boldfaceAbbreviations: SES = socioeconomic status; Wt status = weight status; %BF = percentage body fat; SBJ = standing broad jump (cm); V̇O