Work

Weight Gain during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a High-Risk Cohort of Children in San Francisco, CA

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Pandemic mitigation measures may lead to excess weight gain in children. Our objective was to assess weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic in children of ages 4–12 years with overweight and obesity in San Francisco, CA. Children with BMI ≥85th percentile measured at a clinic visit from January to March 2020 were recruited. Follow-up BMI measurements were obtained between October 2020 and March 2021 from the electronic medical record or through a video study visit. Pre- and post-BMI measurements were obtained on n = 91 participants. The majority were Latino (85%) and publicly insured (91%). Mean monthly weight gain was 0.73 kg [standard deviation (SD) 0.47], equivalent to yearly weight gain of 8.8 kg. Mean monthly change in BMI z -score was 0.02 (SD 0.04) equivalent to yearly increase in BMI- z of 0.24. Weight gain among children in San Francisco with overweight and obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic far exceeded healthy weight gain for this age group.

Source: Childhood Obesity

DOI: 10.1089/chi.2021.0128

Authors: Amy L. Beck, John C. Huang, Lauren Lendzion, Alicia Fernandez, Suzanna Martinez

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development