The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic on Childhood Obesity and Vitamin D Status.
J Korean Med Sci
; 36(3): e21, 2021 Jan 18.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33463095
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The risk of weight gain as a consequence of school closure in children during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been recognized. This study was performed to investigate changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters in children following a 6-month period of social distancing and school closure due to the pandemic.METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study was conducted in school-aged children that were on routine follow-up at the Growth Clinic of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. Changes in body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores (z-scores), lipid profiles, and vitamin D levels were investigated. The 1-year period prior to school closure was defined as "pre-COVID-19 period," and the subsequent 6-month period as "COVID-19 period."RESULTS:
Overall, 226 children between 4 to 14 years old without comorbidities were assessed. On average, their BMI z-scores increased by 0.219 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.167-0.271; P < 0.001) in the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, and the proportion of overweight or obesity increased from 23.9% in the pre-COVID-19 period to 31.4% in the COVID-19 period. The number of days after school closure (P = 0.004) and being in the normoweight category in the pre-COVID-19 period (P = 0.017) were factors associated with an increased BMI in the COVID-19 period. The mean triglyceride (105.8 mg/dL vs. 88.6 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (100.2 mg/dL vs. 94.0 mg/dL, P = 0.002) levels were higher, whereas the calcidiol level (18.9 mg/dL vs. 23.8 mg/dL, P < 0.001) was lower in the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period.CONCLUSION:
Within 6 months, increased childhood obesity and vitamin D deficiencies were observed. The duration of school closure was significantly associated with an increased BMI and being normoweight does not exclude the risks for gaining weight.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vitamin D Deficiency
/
Pandemics
/
Pediatric Obesity
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
J Korean Med Sci
Journal subject:
MEDICINA
Year:
2021
Type:
Article