Citation

Nsamenang SA, Gutierrez CA, Manayathu Jones J, Jenkins G, Tibelius SA, DiGravio AM, Chamas B, Ewusie JE, Geddie H, Punthakee Z, Samaan MC, Wahi G, Morrison KM. Paediatr. Child Health (1996) 2022; 27(Suppl 1): S72-S77.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Canadian Paediatric Society, Publisher Pulsus Group)

DOI

10.1093/pch/pxac014

PMID

35620561

PMCID

PMC9126271

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global public health concern. Given the widespread disruption caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is important to evaluate its impact on children with chronic health conditions. This study examines the health of paediatric patients with obesity enrolled in a tertiary hospital weight management program, before and 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of patients aged 2 to 17 years enrolled in a paediatric weight management clinic. Mental health outcomes (i.e., new referrals to psychologist, social work, eating disorder program, incidence of dysregulated eating, suicidal ideation, and/or self-harm) and physical health (anthropometric measures) were compared before and 1 year into the pandemic.

RESULTS: Among the 334 children seen in either period, there was an increase in referrals to psychologist (12.4% versus 26.5%; P=0.002) and the composite mental health outcome (17.2% versus 30.2%; P=0.005) during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic. In a subset of children (n=30) with anthropometric measures in both periods, there was a lower rate of decline in BMIz score (-1.5 [2.00] versus -0.3 [0.73]/year; P=0.002) and an increase in adiposity (-0.8 [4.64] versus 2.7 [5.54]%/year; P=0.043) during the pandemic.

DISCUSSION: The pandemic has impacted the mental and physical health of children with obesity engaged in a weight management clinic. While our study provides evidence of a negative impact on mental health outcomes and less improvement in anthropometric measures, future research when patients return to in-person care will enable further examination of our findings with additional objective measures.

Language: en

Keywords

Children; COVID-19; Mental health; Obesity; Physical health