Date of Presentation
5-5-2022 12:00 AM
College
School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
The prevalence of childhood obesity in those aged 2-19 in the United States was 19.3% in 2017-2018. Childhood obesity is a major health concern with growing rates of incidence. Being overweight or obese put children at risk for developing several chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and asthma at a younger age. Studies have shown that higher BMI numbers in childhood added an increased risk of being obese as an adult.
The pathophysiology of developing obesity includes several complex factors ranging from nutrition, physical activity, genetic background and lifestyle preferences. Among children, nutrition and activity play an important role. The majority of physical activity related to children is tied to after-school sports and other training. Since all non-essential activities were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, this led to a decrease in physical activity among school-aged children.
The aim of this study was to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and its role in obesity rates.
Keywords
Pediatric Obesity, Obesity, Exercise, COVID-19, Child, Adolescent
Disciplines
Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Pediatrics | Preventive Medicine
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Obesity in School-Aged Children
The prevalence of childhood obesity in those aged 2-19 in the United States was 19.3% in 2017-2018. Childhood obesity is a major health concern with growing rates of incidence. Being overweight or obese put children at risk for developing several chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and asthma at a younger age. Studies have shown that higher BMI numbers in childhood added an increased risk of being obese as an adult.
The pathophysiology of developing obesity includes several complex factors ranging from nutrition, physical activity, genetic background and lifestyle preferences. Among children, nutrition and activity play an important role. The majority of physical activity related to children is tied to after-school sports and other training. Since all non-essential activities were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, this led to a decrease in physical activity among school-aged children.
The aim of this study was to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and its role in obesity rates.