Child and Adolescent Obesity Exacerbated During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated childhood and adolescent obesity prevalence not only by disrupting access to care but also by restricting societal instruments that encourage healthy habits and behaviors. Yet, Black and Hispanic children and adolescents were disproportionately affected by the shutdown. Findings reported by Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPH, MPhil, the section head of health policy research at the Smith Center, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and general cardiologist; and Micheal Liu, MD, MPhil, a resident physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Wadhera noted that school closures limited outdoor play and exercise in addition to the restriction of outdoor green spaces like neighborhood parks—and sometimes the lack thereof in Black and Hispanic communities. Additionally, preexisting food deserts and swamps were exacerbated due to the pandemic, thus increasing the severity of families experiencing food insecurity.

“Black youth are less likely to have access to nutritious foods, grocery stores, and are more likely to live in pharmacy deserts,” Wadhera said.

When discussing long-term solutions, Liu suggested starting on the familial level, referencing the American Academy of Pediatrics’ emphasis on early interventions like nutritional education to encourage “regular family meals with balanced portions [and] for children reducing sugary drinks, limiting screen time, [and] encouraging outdoor play.”

Obese or overweight individuals are at an increased risk of developing conditions like HBP and diabetes, both of which are significant contributors to heart disease and stroke. The aim of the study was to not only observe the disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic but also to draw attention to the issue to drive real, lasting change.