Projecting the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on childhood obesity in the United States: A microsimulation model.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States led to nationwide stay-at-home orders and school closures. Declines in energy expenditure resulting from canceled physical education classes and reduced physical activity may elevate childhood obesity risk. This study estimated the impact of COVID-19 on childhood obesity.

Methods

A microsimulation model simulated the trajectory of a nationally representative kindergarten cohort's body mass index z-scores and childhood obesity prevalence from April 2020 to March 2021 under the control scenario without COVID-19 and under the 4 alternative scenarios with COVID-19-Scenario 1: 2-month nationwide school closure in April and May 2020; Scenario 2: Scenario 1 followed by a 10% reduction in daily physical ac

SUBMITTER: An R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7250129 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature