![]() Based on the weight trend pattern during school time and summer recess, a simulation study predicted an important increase in weight gain during pandemic-induced school closures. Pre-COVID-19 studies reported that children usually gain more weight during the summer holidays, and it has been proposed that the pandemic may have exerted a similar effect due to increased time out of school. The aforementioned changes in lifestyle predict severe consequences with increasing obesity, especially in predisposed individuals. In Argentina, excess weight was already a main nutritional problem before the pandemic according to the last national nutrition survey, affecting 41.1% of 5- to 17-year-old children. ![]() A stressful situation such as pandemic lockdown may significantly impact HRQoL. Lifestyle changes may also affect Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), a multidimensional measure of health used to assess the individual’s perceptions of the impact of a given condition on health status. Besides, children faced a dramatic change in their routine due to school closure, which deprives children from contact with their peers and teachers. Prior research has indicated that lockdown measurements affected several aspects of lifestyle all over the world: changes in diet, lower physical activity, higher screen time and sleeping disorders were widely reported. It has been suggested that this changing reality may have negative implications especially on children. Throughout 2021, the restrictions were gradually reduced and schools reopened partially in March with a hybrid learning pattern that combined equally in-person and online learning, and in September full in-person classes were resumed. ![]() Strict lockdown measurements were not eased until November 2020 Argentina suffered one of the most prolonged lockdown periods worldwide. To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in March 2020 the Argentinian Government decided for strict lockdown measurements that included suspension of in-person schooling and closure of playgrounds, recreational facilities, and non-essential services. ![]() Weight gain continued to increase in boys when lockdown measurements were eased, although sedentary behaviors decreased and quality of life improved, indicating that the effects of pandemic lockdown could be difficult to reverse. Change in zBMI was higher in children with less healthy habits ( p < 0.001). Unlike girls, the proportion of boys with OW/OB increased from baseline to first and second visit ( p = 0.045). The proportion of children with OW/OB increased from baseline (43.5%) to first (56.5%) and second visit (58.3%) ( p = 0.029). In LG, zBMI was higher at first and second visit vs baseline ( p < 0.001) and in second visit vs first visit for boys ( p = 0.037) but not for girls. ResultsĬhange in zBMI was higher in LG vs HCG p < 0.001, particularly in children with pre-existing OW/OB. ![]() Follow-up visits included anthropometric measures, lifestyle questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Anthropometric changes from baseline to first visit in lockdown group (LG) were compared with a historical control group (HCG, n = 134). Observational study with baseline measurements prior to lockdown and follow-up after eight months of strict restrictive measures (November 2020, first visit, n = 144) and after ten months of partial reopening (September 2021, second visit, n = 108). To examine changes in body mass index z-score (zBMI), lifestyle, Health-Related Quality of Life and proportion of overweight or obesity (OW/OB) in 6- to 9-year-old children in Argentina. Further investigation is needed to define the impact of long-term pandemic lockdown in children. ![]()
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