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World Journal of Pediatrics
Published in: World Journal of Pediatrics 5/2023

Open Access 12-12-2022 | Obesity | Original Article

Impact of the COVID-19 kindergarten closure on overweight and obesity among 3- to 7-year-old children

Authors: Xiang Long, Xing-Ying Li, Hong Jiang, Lian-Di Shen, Li-Feng Zhang, Zheng Pu, Xia Gao, Mu Li

Published in: World Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 5/2023

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Abstract

Background

Knowledge on the impact of the temporary kindergarten closure policy under COVID-19 in 2020 on childhood overweight and obesity is inadequate. We aimed to examine differences in rates of overweight and obesity from 2018 to 2021 among kindergarten children aged 3–7 years.

Methods

Overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) > 1 standard deviation (SD) for age and sex, and obesity was defined as BMI > 2 SD for age and sex. Generalized linear mixed modeling was used for analysis.

Results

A total of 44,884 children and 71,216 growth data points from all 57 public kindergartens in Jiading District, Shanghai, China were analyzed. The rates of obesity from 2018 to 2021 were 6.9%, 6.6%, 9.5%, and 7.3% in boys and 2.8%, 2.8%, 4.5%, and 3.1% in girls, respectively. The rates of overweight from 2018 to 2021 were 14.3%, 14.3%, 18.2%, and 15.3% in boys and 10.6%, 10.9%, 13.9%, and 11.6% in girls. The rates of obesity and overweight among kindergarten children in 2020 were significantly higher than those in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Compared to 2020, the odds ratios of the obesity rate in 2018, 2019, and 2021 were 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.58–0.77, P < 0.001], 0.72 (95% CI = 0.64–0.80, P < 0.001) and 0.81 (95% CI = 0.72–0.92, P = 0.001), respectively. The odds ratios of the overweight rate in 2018, 2019, and 2021 were 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.82, P < 0.001), 0.78 (95% CI = 0.72–0.84, P < 0.001), and 0.89 (95% CI = 0.81–0.97, P = 0.008), respectively, compared to 2020.

Conclusions

The rates of overweight and obesity significantly increased among kindergarten children in 2020 after the 5-month kindergarten closure. It was critical to provide guidance to caregivers on fostering a healthy lifestyle for children at home under public health emergencies.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Impact of the COVID-19 kindergarten closure on overweight and obesity among 3- to 7-year-old children
Authors
Xiang Long
Xing-Ying Li
Hong Jiang
Lian-Di Shen
Li-Feng Zhang
Zheng Pu
Xia Gao
Mu Li
Publication date
12-12-2022
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Published in
World Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 5/2023
Print ISSN: 1708-8569
Electronic ISSN: 1867-0687
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-022-00651-0

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