Pediatricians are warning that the prolonged interruption of schooling, sports and other activities by the coronavirus pandemic is leading to weight gain that can have lasting impacts on children’s health.
Students are eating more and exercising less, and nutritionists and doctors studying obesity fear the pandemic is putting children at greater risk of developing type two diabetes and asthma, among other health problems.
“We are seeing a lot of primary school age children who are gaining 9 to 13 pounds in a year,” said Hai Cao, pediatrician and owner of South Slope Pediatrics in Brooklyn, NY
Brittany Wilson, an assistant physician at Island Kids Pediatrics in Staten Island, NY, said the pandemic appears to have accelerated weight gain among patients who were already overweight. Children aged 6 to 12 appear to be earning more.
“Even children in elementary school are getting depressed,” said Wilson. “They miss their friends. Many of them are not doing so well academically. With depression, weight gain also comes. They are bored, and I think they eat solace. “