Changes in Food Consumption, BMI, and Body Composition in Youth in the US during the COVID-19 Pandemic
2023
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
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&rsquo:s body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) 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&ndash: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&ndash:0.83). Likewise, changes in BMI, BMIz, and adiposity (ps = 0.95&ndash: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.
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