Keywords

Physical Activity, Children with Dyslexia, Summer versus School

Abstract

Children in the United States continue to experience rising rates of overweight and obesity. Children with learning disabilities are twice as likely to have obesity than typically developing peers, partly due to difficulties with motor skills and behavior regulation. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare differences in health outcomes and physical activity (PA) during summer versus school months in children with dyslexia, using a within- subject study design.

At three timepoints (May, August, December 2025), children’s height, weight, and fitness were measured via a portable stadiometer, dual-frequency foot-to-foot bioelectric impedance device, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER). For 14 consecutive days during summer (June 2025) and school (October 2025) months, participants wore an ActiGraph activity monitor on their non-dominant wrist to capture light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Paired sample t-tests compared differences in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), z-score body mass index (zBMI), body fat percentage (%BF), and PA levels during summer versus school months.

Children (n=18) were 67% 10-14 years old; 55% male; 17% classified as overweight or obese; all were diagnosed with dyslexia. Children experienced a significant loss in fitness over the summer, with a decrease of -11 PACER laps (95% confidence interval, CI: -17 laps to -6 laps). During school months, children gained +4 PACER laps (95% CI: -0.2, +7). Overall, there was a significant difference of -15 PACER laps (95% CI: -22 laps to -8 laps) between summer and school months. No significant differences were observed in zBMI, %BF, or PA levels.

These findings provide preliminary evidence that summer may negatively impact fitness levels in children with dyslexia. Future studies should further examine PA behaviors of children with dyslexia during out-of-school periods and explore targeted summer interventions that address the specific needs of this population to promote sustained improvements in CRF.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Brazendale, Keith

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Health Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Identifier

DP0053218

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