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BMI status and associations between affect, physical activity and anxiety among U.S. children during COVID-19

Jasmin M Alves1,2, Alexandra G Yunker1,2, Alexis DeFendis1,2

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Pediatric Obesity
|March 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 pandemic increased child anxiety. Positive affect and physical activity (PA) reduced anxiety in children with overweight/obesity, while limiting screen time is crucial for all children.

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Pediatric health
  • Pandemic impact

Background:

  • Limited research exists on children's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Pandemic-related lifestyle changes may worsen childhood obesity.
  • The influence of BMI on children's activity and mental health during COVID-19 is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine emotional responses, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behaviors in relation to anxiety among U.S. children with healthy weight and overweight/obesity during the pandemic.
  • Investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child mental health.
  • Understand the role of BMI in children's psychological outcomes during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 64 typically developing children (9–15 years old) during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
  • Data collected via virtual visits, including 24-hour PA recalls and validated anxiety and affect scales.
  • Assessed anxiety, positive/negative affect, PA, and sedentary behaviors in relation to child BMI.

Main Results:

  • Child anxiety levels were significantly elevated compared to pre-pandemic norms, regardless of BMI.
  • Higher positive affect and PA were linked to lower anxiety in children with overweight/obesity.
  • Positive affect correlated with reduced anxiety in healthy-weight children; increased leisure screen time was associated with higher negative affect for all children.

Conclusions:

  • Maintaining positive affect, engaging in physical activity (PA), and limiting screen time may benefit children's mental health during the pandemic.
  • These findings are particularly relevant for children experiencing overweight or obesity.
  • Interventions promoting positive affect and PA, while reducing screen time, could support child well-being during health crises.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19U.S. childrenaffectleisure screen timeobesityphysical activitystate anxiety

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