Acceleration in BMI gain following COVID-19 restrictions. A longitudinal study with 7- to 10-year-old primary school children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ramifications of COVID-19 restrictions might accelerate the already rising proportion of children with overweight or obesity.

Objectives

To assess the association between COVID-19 restrictions and changes in body mass index (BMI) and the proportion of children with overweight or obesity.

Methods

Cohort study with baseline measurements in September 2019 (prior to COVID-19 restrictions) and follow-up in June 2020, September 2020, and March 2021 at 12 primary schools in Austria. The height and weight of 738 children aged 7 to 10 years were measured and age- and sex-specific national and international standardized values were calculated. Changes over time were analysed by analysis of variance.

Results

Mean BMI_IOTF standard deviation scores

SUBMITTER: Jarnig G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9286467 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature