The COVID‐19 lockdown increased obesity disparities; will the increases in type 2 diabetes continue?
Authors' conclusion
The rapid increases in obesity are likely to persist and may be associated with an increase in the prevalence of severe obesity as these children age. Furthermore, the increased susceptibility to diabetes in Hispanic and Black children, as well as the reported increase in diabetes among 0- to 18-year-old individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, may lead to an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes in minority youth with obesity.
Study context
- Population
- Youth; elementary school children in two population-based surveys2 population-based surveys
- Exposure
- Increases in pediatric obesity prevalence during COVID-19 lockdown vs annual increases in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
- Outcome
- Increase in prevalence of pediatric obesity during COVID-19 lockdown vs annual increase in NHANES
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Change in obesity prevalence among elementary school children, expressed as multiples
Changes in prevalence during lockdown vs annual changes in NHANES
28 to 63 times greater
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Obesity increases by race/ethnicity
- Increases in Black and Hispanic youth were greater than those in White youth; lockdown increased obesity disparities in this age group
Original publication
The COVID‐19 lockdown increased obesity disparities; will the increases in type 2 diabetes continue? Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 25 January 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →