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Weight Gain Associated with COVID-19 Lockdown in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tu-Hsuan Chang1, Yu-Chin Chen2, Wei-Yu Chen1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan.

Nutrients
|October 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Lockdowns significantly increased pediatric body weight and BMI, worsening childhood obesity rates. This study highlights the pandemic

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Lockdowns, while effective for reducing COVID-19 transmission, restricted daily activities.
  • The impact of these restrictions on pediatric weight and BMI required investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of lockdown measures on pediatric body weight and body mass index (BMI).
  • To assess changes in weight classification, including obesity and overweight prevalence, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, adhering to the PRISMA statement.
  • Data were systematically searched and extracted from four major online databases: EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL.

Main Results:

  • Lockdown was associated with a significant average increase in body weight (MD 2.67 kg).
  • Pediatric BMI significantly increased overall during lockdown compared to pre-pandemic levels (MD 0.94).
  • Rates of childhood obesity (OR 1.23) and overweight (OR 1.17) significantly increased during lockdown periods.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns led to significant increases in body weight and BMI among children and adolescents.
  • The prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight escalated, exacerbating the existing public health challenge.
  • Lockdowns contributed to a worsening burden of childhood obesity, necessitating further public health interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
BMICOVID-19adolescentsbody weightchildrenlockdown

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