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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Change in BMI in Children Over the First 30 Months After the Start of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Katherynne T Greve1,2, Todd L Foster2, Rayanne Pancoast3

  • 1Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent, Ascension, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|October 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Children experienced a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) during the early pandemic, with continued, though slower, BMI increases observed up to 30 months later. Sociodemographic factors were also analyzed for their association with these changes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes in children.
  • Understanding changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) during this period is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate Body Mass Index (BMI) changes in children during the initial 6 months of the pandemic.
  • To track longitudinal BMI changes for up to 30 months post-pandemic onset.
  • To identify sociodemographic factors associated with pandemic-related BMI shifts.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 1298 children aged 2-18 years.
  • Data collected from an Indianapolis primary care clinic.
  • BMI and sociodemographic data analyzed across three periods: Prepandemic, Early Pandemic, and Late Pandemic.

Main Results:

  • A statistically significant increase in the monthly rate of BMI change was observed from the Prepandemic to the Early Pandemic period.
  • The rate of BMI change stabilized between the Early and Late Pandemic periods but remained positive.
  • This indicates a persistent, albeit slower, increase in children's BMI following the pandemic's start.

Conclusions:

  • The pandemic initiated a significant acceleration in children's BMI increase.
  • BMI growth continued at a reduced but steady rate throughout the observed pandemic period.
  • Further research into sociodemographic influences on pediatric BMI changes during public health crises is warranted.

Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemicbody mass indexobesitypediatrics

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