Sheri Agatha Nsamenang1,2, Carline Anne Gutierrez2,3, Jane Manayathu Jones2,3, Glenn Jenkins2, Stephanie Anne Tibelius2, Anna Maria DiGravio2, Basma Chamas2, Joycelyne Efua Ewusie4, Hannah Geddie2,5, Zubin Punthakee2,6,7, M Constantine Samaan2,5,7, Gita Wahi2,5,7, Katherine M Morrison2,5,7. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 2. Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 3. School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 4. The Research Institute Biostatistics Unit, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 5. Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 6. Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 7. Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a global public health concern. Given the widespread disruption caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is important to evaluate its impact on children with chronic health conditions. This study examines the health of paediatric patients with obesity enrolled in a tertiary hospital weight management program, before and 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients aged 2 to 17 years enrolled in a paediatric weight management clinic. Mental health outcomes (i.e., new referrals to psychologist, social work, eating disorder program, incidence of dysregulated eating, suicidal ideation, and/or self-harm) and physical health (anthropometric measures) were compared before and 1 year into the pandemic. Results: Among the 334 children seen in either period, there was an increase in referrals to psychologist (12.4% versus 26.5%; P=0.002) and the composite mental health outcome (17.2% versus 30.2%; P=0.005) during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic. In a subset of children (n=30) with anthropometric measures in both periods, there was a lower rate of decline in BMIz score (-1.5 [2.00] versus -0.3 [0.73]/year; P=0.002) and an increase in adiposity (-0.8 [4.64] versus 2.7 [5.54]%/year; P=0.043) during the pandemic. Discussion: The pandemic has impacted the mental and physical health of children with obesity engaged in a weight management clinic. While our study provides evidence of a negative impact on mental health outcomes and less improvement in anthropometric measures, future research when patients return to in-person care will enable further examination of our findings with additional objective measures.
Background: Obesity is a global public health concern. Given the widespread disruption caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is important to evaluate its impact on children with chronic health conditions. This study examines the health of paediatric patients with obesity enrolled in a tertiary hospital weight management program, before and 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients aged 2 to 17 years enrolled in a paediatric weight management clinic. Mental health outcomes (i.e., new referrals to psychologist, social work, eating disorder program, incidence of dysregulated eating, suicidal ideation, and/or self-harm) and physical health (anthropometric measures) were compared before and 1 year into the pandemic. Results: Among the 334 children seen in either period, there was an increase in referrals to psychologist (12.4% versus 26.5%; P=0.002) and the composite mental health outcome (17.2% versus 30.2%; P=0.005) during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic. In a subset of children (n=30) with anthropometric measures in both periods, there was a lower rate of decline in BMIz score (-1.5 [2.00] versus -0.3 [0.73]/year; P=0.002) and an increase in adiposity (-0.8 [4.64] versus 2.7 [5.54]%/year; P=0.043) during the pandemic. Discussion: The pandemic has impacted the mental and physical health of children with obesity engaged in a weight management clinic. While our study provides evidence of a negative impact on mental health outcomes and less improvement in anthropometric measures, future research when patients return to in-person care will enable further examination of our findings with additional objective measures.
Authors: Sarah A Moore; Guy Faulkner; Ryan E Rhodes; Mariana Brussoni; Tala Chulak-Bozzer; Leah J Ferguson; Raktim Mitra; Norm O'Reilly; John C Spence; Leigh M Vanderloo; Mark S Tremblay Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2020-07-06 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Nancy T Browne; Julia A Snethen; Cindy Smith Greenberg; Marilyn Frenn; Jill F Kilanowski; Bonnie Gance-Cleveland; Pamela J Burke; Linda Lewandowski Journal: J Pediatr Nurs Date: 2020-11-11 Impact factor: 2.145
Authors: Xuedi Li; Leigh M Vanderloo; Jonathon L Maguire; Charles D G Keown-Stoneman; Mary Aglipay; Laura N Anderson; Katherine Tombeau Cost; Alice Charach; Shelley M Vanderhout; Catherine S Birken Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2021-07-07