Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on weight status and associated factors for obesity among children in Massachusetts

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on weight status, obesity and overweight among US children and identify associated factors. Methods: At a large safety net health system in Massachusetts, anthropometric measurements of 701 children were analyzed before and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Chi-square and paired t-test were computed for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with obesity and overweight. Results: Post-lockdown, the overall mean body mass index (BMI) increased from 21.07 to 21.57 kg/m(2) (p < .001). The overall obesity (23.2%–27.4%, p < .001) and overweight (41.1%–44.5%, p < .001) burdens increased after the lockdown period. Obesity (40.5%–46.9%, p < .001) was highest among Spanish speakers. The youngest age group (2–5 years) had the greatest obesity rate increase by 26% (19.7%–24.8%, p < .001). Obesity was associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.91, 1.00), higher baseline BMI (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.23) and Spanish speaking children (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.10, 4.33). Conclusions: BMI, obesity and overweight increased among children during the COVID-19 lockdown, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged subpopulations. Strategies are needed to counteract the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on unhealthy weight gain and childhood obesity.