Sex differences in changes in BMI and blood pressure in Chinese school-aged children during the COVID-19 quarantine

The Impact of Nutritional and Lifestyle Changes on Body Weight, Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents during the Pandemic of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

“…The studies included in the present systematic review regarding the role of diet and lifestyle on body composition/body weight ( Table 1 ) originate from two continents, four from Asia [ 15 , 16 , 18 , 29 ] and seven from Europe [ 14 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].The included studies for the role of diet/lifestyle on cardiometabolic risk factors ( Table 2 ) originate from three continents, one from the Middle East [ 27 ], four from Asia [ 16 , 25 , 26 , 28 ] and two from Europe [ 24 , 30 ]. Interestingly the countries included present with large variation in their socioeconomic status having both developed countries like Germany and developing countries like Malaysia.…”

“…All studies used self-reported data either using known validated questionnaires such as the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), or other questionnaires collected either by phone, live interviews, or online surveys. The primary outcomes were changes in body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference, which were either measured ( N = 5) [ 16 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] or self-reported ( N = 5) [ 14 , 15 , 18 , 19 , 23 ]. Regarding the association of diet and/or lifestyle changes on cardiometabolic conditions, the primary outcome was blood pressure ( N = 3) or glycemic control ( N = 5).…”

“…The majority of studies assessed changes of both diet and lifestyle, except for two (one retrospective and one cross-sectional) which solely assessed parameters of physical activity and sedentary behavior [ 15 , 17 ]. Apart from one study that reported no results [ 16 ], all the other included studies reported increased consumption of fats and fast foods, as well as processed food, sweet and salty snacks and sugar sweetened beverages. Yet some studies also reported increased consumption of breakfast, fruit and vegetable intake and reduction in fruit juice and carbonated drinks consumption.…”

“…Also, all studies shown in Table 1 reported a significant decrease in physical activity paralleled with a significant increase in sedentary and screen time, while two studies assessing sleep duration and sleep quality as part of the lifestyle assessment presented with controversial results [ 14 , 21 ]. Regarding the changes in body weight/body composition, eight out of the 10 studies included in the analysis and presented in Table 1 reported significant increases in body weight, BMI, waist circumference or body fat, which was evident even in the 59.7% of the study population [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 23 ]. According to Qiu et al, 28.1% of the children with normal BMI before the lockdown became overweight or obese, 42.4% of the overweight children became obese and 46.6% of the participants starting as normotensives presented abnormal BP levels at the end of the lockdown [ 16 ].…”

“…Regarding the changes in body weight/body composition, eight out of the 10 studies included in the analysis and presented in Table 1 reported significant increases in body weight, BMI, waist circumference or body fat, which was evident even in the 59.7% of the study population [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 23 ]. According to Qiu et al, 28.1% of the children with normal BMI before the lockdown became overweight or obese, 42.4% of the overweight children became obese and 46.6% of the participants starting as normotensives presented abnormal BP levels at the end of the lockdown [ 16 ].…”