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Changes in Food Consumption, BMI, and Body Composition in Youth in the US during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Nasreen Moursi

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
    Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA)

  • Marian Tanofsky-Kraff

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
    Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA)

  • Megan Parker

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
    Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA)

  • Lucy Loch

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Bess Bloomer

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Jennifer Te-Vazquez

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Ejike Nwosu

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Julia Lazareva

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Shanna B. Yang

    (Nutrition Department, NIH Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Sara Turner

    (Nutrition Department, NIH Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Sheila Brady

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Jack Yanovski

    (Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

Abstract

Rates of childhood overweight/obesity have risen for decades; however, data show the prevalence increased at a faster rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic-associated increases in youth’s body mass index (BMI; kg/m 2 ) have been attributed to decreases in reported physical activity; few studies have examined changes in food intake. We therefore examined changes in total energy, nutrient consumption, BMI, BMIz, and adiposity longitudinally over 3 years, comparing healthy youth aged 8–17 years assessed twice prior to the pandemic, to youth seen once before and once during the pandemic. The total energy intake and percent macronutrient consumption were assessed using a standardized, laboratory-based, buffet-style meal. Height and weight were measured and adiposity was collected via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Generalized linear model univariate analyses investigated differences between groups. One-hundred-fifteen youth (15.6 + 2.8 years 47.8% female; 54.8% White) from the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia greater metropolitan area participated. In this secondary analysis, neither changes in total energy intake ( p = 0.52) nor changes in nutrient consumption were significantly different between the two groups ( ps = 0.23–0.83). Likewise, changes in BMI, BMIz, and adiposity ( ps = 0.95–0.25) did not differ by group. Further research should investigate food intake and body composition, comparing youth with and without overweight/obesity to better identify those at greatest risk of excess weight gain during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Nasreen Moursi & Marian Tanofsky-Kraff & Megan Parker & Lucy Loch & Bess Bloomer & Jennifer Te-Vazquez & Ejike Nwosu & Julia Lazareva & Shanna B. Yang & Sara Turner & Sheila Brady & Jack Yanovski, 2023. "Changes in Food Consumption, BMI, and Body Composition in Youth in the US during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-12, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:18:p:6796-:d:1244845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gregory Knell & Michael C. Robertson & Erin E. Dooley & Katie Burford & Karla S. Mendez, 2020. "Health Behavior Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic and Subsequent “Stay-at-Home” Orders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
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