J Pediatr Health Care. 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):652-657. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.07.004. Epub 2023 Aug 16.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to lifestyle disruptions that increased the risk for pediatric obesity and health disparities among Hispanic children. This study aimed to assess weight and body mass index (BMI) trends longitudinally, pre- and intra-COVID-19 pandemic, among Hispanic children.
A retrospective chart review included Hispanic children (n = 88) accessing a Federally Qualified Health Center, including six pediatric primary care clinics 6 months prepandemic and 6-, 12- and 18-month intrapandemic intervals. Descriptive statistical analyses included paired t tests, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and correlations for weight and BMI percentiles comparisons at prepandemic and intrapandemic intervals.
Comparison of prepandemic and 6-month intrapandemic intervals did not identify differences in BMI percentiles. A significant difference in BMI percentiles was found in comparisons of prepandemic and 12- and 18-month intrapandemic intervals, with no differences identified by age or sex.
Hispanic children experienced a significant increase in BMI percentiles throughout the pandemic. Addressing this social determinant of health among Hispanic children presenting with anomalous weight gain is imperative to promote health equity by focusing on the pediatric obesity epidemic.
COVID-19 大流行导致生活方式的改变，增加了西班牙裔儿童肥胖和健康差距的风险。本研究旨在评估 COVID-19 大流行前后西班牙裔儿童的体重和体重指数（BMI）趋势。
回顾性图表审查包括访问联邦合格健康中心的西班牙裔儿童（n=88），包括 6 个月前大流行和 6、12 和 18 个月大流行期间的 6 个儿科初级保健诊所。描述性统计分析包括配对 t 检验、重复测量方差分析和体重和 BMI 百分位比较的相关性，分别在大流行前和大流行期间进行。
大流行前和 6 个月大流行期间的 BMI 百分位比较未发现差异。大流行前和 12 个月和 18 个月大流行期间的 BMI 百分位比较存在显著差异，年龄或性别无差异。
西班牙裔儿童在整个大流行期间 BMI 百分位显著增加。解决西班牙裔儿童中出现异常体重增加的这一健康决定因素，对于通过关注儿科肥胖症流行来促进健康公平至关重要。
