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COVID-19 Leads to Accelerated Increases in Children's BMI z-Score Gain: An Interrupted Time-Series Study.
Weaver, R Glenn; Hunt, Ethan T; Armstrong, Bridget; Beets, Michael W; Brazendale, Keith; Turner-McGrievy, Gabrielle; Pate, Russell R; Youngstedt, Shawn D; Dugger, Roddrick; Parker, Hannah; von Klinggraeff, Lauren; Jones, Alexis; Burkart, Sarah; Ressor-Oyer, Layton.
  • Weaver RG; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina. Electronic address: weaverrg@mailbox.sc.edu.
  • Hunt ET; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Armstrong B; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Beets MW; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Brazendale K; Department of Health Sciences, UCF College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
  • Turner-McGrievy G; Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Pate RR; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Youngstedt SD; Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Dugger R; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Parker H; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • von Klinggraeff L; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Jones A; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Burkart S; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Ressor-Oyer L; Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
Am J Prev Med ; 61(4): e161-e169, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1233353
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

The COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted children's weight status owing to the closure of schools, increased food insecurity and reliance on ultraprocessed foods, and reduced opportunities for outdoor activity.

METHODS:

In this interrupted time-series study, height and weight were collected from children (n=1,770 children, mean age=8.7 years, 55.3% male, 64.6% Black) and were transformed into BMI z-score in each August/September from 2017 to 2020. Mixed-effects linear regression estimated yearly BMI z-score change before the COVID-19 pandemic year (i.e., 2017-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic year (i.e., 2019-2020). Subgroup analyses by sex, race (i.e., Black, White, other race), weight status (overweight or obese and normal weight), and grade (i.e., lower=kindergarten-2nd grade and upper=3rd-6th grade) were conducted.

RESULTS:

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, children's yearly BMI z-score change was +0.03 (95% CI= -0.10, 0.15). Change during the COVID-19 pandemic was +0.34 (95% CI=0.21, 0.47), an acceleration in BMI z-score change of +0.31 (95% CI=0.19, 0.44). For girls and boys, BMI z-score change accelerated by +0.33 (95% CI=0.16, 0.50) and +0.29 (95% CI=0.12, 0.46), respectively, during the pandemic year. Acceleration in BMI z-score change during the pandemic year was observed for children who were Black (+0.41, 95% CI=0.21, 0.61) and White (+0.22, 95% CI=0.06, 0.39). For children classified as normal weight, BMI z-score change accelerated by +0.58 (95% CI=0.40, 0.76). Yearly BMI z-score change accelerated for lower elementary/primary (+0.23, 95% CI=0.08, 0.37) and upper elementary/primary (+0.42, 95% CI=0.42, 0.63) children.

CONCLUSIONS:

If similar BMI z-score accelerations occurred for children across the world, public health interventions to address this rapid unhealthy BMI gain will be urgently needed.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Child / Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Am J Prev Med Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Child / Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Am J Prev Med Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article