Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

27.2K

Changes in BMI During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emily A Knapp1, Yanan Dong1, Anne L Dunlop2

  • 1Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Pediatrics
|June 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to increased annual body mass index (BMI) gain in children. Children with obesity faced higher risks of BMI gain, while those from higher-income households had decreased risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Experts hypothesized increased weight gain in children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if the rate of change in child body mass index (BMI) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to prepandemic years.
  • To identify risk factors for increased BMI gain during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 1996 children (ages 2-19) across 38 US pediatric cohorts.
  • Employed linear mixed models to analyze BMI change, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors.
  • Included children with at least one BMI measure before and during the pandemic.

Main Results:

  • Annual BMI gain was significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years (0.24 higher annual gain).
  • Children with BMIs in the obese range were at higher risk for excess BMI gain.
  • Children from higher-income households showed a decreased risk of BMI gain.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased annual BMI gain among US children.
  • This trend poses a significant threat to public health and health equity.
  • Targeted interventions may be needed to mitigate pandemic-related weight gain in vulnerable pediatric populations.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies15:00

Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies

Published on: February 3, 2023

2.6K
Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography03:35

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: December 1, 2023

376

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
608
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
190
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism01:19

Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism is a fundamental biochemical process that ensures a constant supply of energy to living cells. The most important carbohydrate is glucose, which can be broken down via glycolysis to enter into the Krebs cycle and eventually lead to the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
1.7K
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
12.2K
Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
184
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
167