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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Pediatric BMI changes during COVID-19 pandemic: An electronic health record-based retrospective cohort study

Corinne G Brooks1, Jessica R Spencer1,2, J Michael Sprafka1,3

  • 1Center for Observational Research, Amgen, Inc., 1000 E Oaks Blvd, One Amgen Ctr. Dr. M/S 24-1-C, Thousand Oaks, California 91362, United States.

Eclinicalmedicine
|August 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased children's unhealthy weight gain, particularly in vulnerable groups. This trend highlights the need for continued monitoring and intervention strategies for pediatric health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has broadly impacted daily life since March 2020.
  • The specific effects on children's weight gain rates remain unanalyzed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of weight gain in children aged 6-17 years.
  • To identify demographic subgroups most affected by pandemic-related changes in weight gain.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study using US Electronic Health Record (EHR) data.
  • Calculated age- and sex-adjusted change in Body Mass Index (BMI) (∆BMIadj) between well-child visits.
  • Compared mean ∆BMIadj during September-December 2020 with the same period in 2017-2019 using multivariable linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Mean ∆BMIadj was higher in September-December 2020 (0.62 kg/m²) compared to previous years (0.31 kg/m²).
  • The increase was most pronounced in children with pre-existing obesity, Hispanic children, and those lacking commercial insurance.
  • Weight gain acceleration varied by age, being highest in 8-12 year olds and lowest in 15-17 year olds.

Conclusions:

  • Children experienced a notable increase in unhealthy weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Vulnerable populations, including those with obesity and from specific demographic groups, were disproportionately affected.
  • Findings underscore the need for policy interventions to support child development and health.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19ObesityOverweightPediatricsPublic healthVulnerable populations

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