BMI changes and its effects on a paediatric obese population in the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors

  • Inês Alexandra Azevedo Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar Entre Douro e Vouga https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2838-0610
  • Sara Alves Araújo Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar Entre Douro e Vouga https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6048-8712
  • Diana Pinto Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar Entre Douro e Vouga
  • Joana Silva Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar Entre Douro e Vouga
  • Lúcia Gomes Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar Entre Douro e Vouga https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3392-0335
  • Miguel Costa Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar Entre Douro e Vouga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v31.i3.27726

Keywords:

adolescent, COVID-19, comorbidity, children, obesity, overweight

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a major threat to global health. The special circumstances and changes to everyday life due to the worldwide measures had a strong impact, particularly in childhood and adolescent obesity.
We aimed to evaluate the impact on the treatment of obesity and on the expression of comorbidities during the first lockdown.
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of overweight and obese children/adolescents (6-18 years), followed at reference outpatient clinic, since 2018. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated.
Results: We studied 71 children/adolescents (52.1% female) with a median age of 10 years. 87.3 % were obese and a family history of obesity was positive in 51.4%.
After home confinement, a significant increase was observed regarding body mass index (p<0.001) and there was worsening of insulin levels (p<0.001), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (p=0.005), and aspartate aminotransferase (p<0.001), but not reaching pathologic levels. Therefore, there was no significant worsening of comorbidities after the lockdown.
Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a worsening in the magnitude of obesity. However, there was no significant repercussions on its comorbidity, which does not allow to exclude any long-term consequences.

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Published

2022-10-19

How to Cite

1.
Azevedo IA, Araújo SA, Pinto D, Silva J, Gomes L, Costa M. BMI changes and its effects on a paediatric obese population in the COVID-19 pandemic. REVNEC [Internet]. 2022Oct.19 [cited 2024May13];31(3):247-52. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/27726

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 3 (2022): COVID-19: impact on Maternal and Child Health

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Inês Azevedo, Sara Alves Araújo, Diana Pinto, Joana Silva, Lúcia Gomes, Miguel Costa

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