Dramatic Increase of Body Weight during Covid-19 Breakdown: Data from the Austrian Prevention Project Eddy Kids 2018/19 and Eddy Kids 2019/20

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight and obesity among adults and children has increased dramatically worldwide in the last few decades. Overweight children usually remain overweight in adulthood and develop lots of comorbidities. It is therefore important to take preventive measures as early as possible to counteract this trend. Objective: To find out what effect the temporary school closure in Austria due to COVID-19 had on the school children in terms of body weight. Methods: Anthropometric parameters (bodyweight, body fat percentage and height) were measured twice in all students (before and after a 6-month intervention period). The intervention group received a one-hour nutrition lesson and two one-hour sports lessons per week. The control group was only tested and received no intervention. Subjects: The study group consisted of a control and an intervention group with a total of 115 school children. Results: The intervention and the control group gained about +4.5 kg in 2019/20, whereas the average increase in body weight was +2.85 kg (intervention group) and +2.61 kg (control group) the year before (2018/19). Conclusion: The lockdown in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has a big impact on body weight. Special online trainings should be implemented for school children, which should also involve the families.