NIH Program Study Finds Increased Weight Gain in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on August 16, 2022June 7, 2023 by Jodi Snare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Children gained weight at a faster rate during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health.

Childhood obesity is a serious health condition that can affect long-term health and quality of life. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts were concerned that the closure of schools and recreational facilities could cause an increase in childhood obesity due to a reduction in physical activity and dietary changes.

ECHO researchers analyzed changes in children’s body mass index (BMI) before and during the pandemic and investigated whether changes in BMI varied based on race, ethnicity, prepandemic BMI, or household income. In general, children gained weight at an increased rate during the pandemic but children in higher income households were at a lower risk of excess weight gain.

“This study highlights the need for interventions to mitigate the physical and mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Emily Knapp, PhD. “The conditions faced by families during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to an acceleration of weight gain in children. This study highlights the need to support less resourced families, who have borne the worst consequences of the pandemic.”

Dr. Knapp and Aruna Chandran, MD, ECHO Program investigators at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, led this collaborative research effort published in Pediatrics.

Knapp, E. A. et al. Changes in BMI During the COVID-19 Pandemic. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-056552

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About ECHO: ECHO is a nationwide research program supported by the NIH. Launched in 2016, ECHO aims to enhance the health of children for generations to come. ECHO investigators study the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on child health and development. For more information, visit echochildren.org.

About the NIH: NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency Emily Knapp, PhD Aruna Chandran, MD conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information, visit www.nih.gov.

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ECHO Researchers Investigate Child Weight Gain During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on August 15, 2022December 5, 2023 by Jodi Snare

Collaborative ECHO research led by Emily Knapp, PhD and Aruna Chandran, MD of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health investigates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s body mass index (BMI), an estimation of overall body fat. The study looked at the BMI of 1,966 children ages 2 through 18 years old from 38 ECHO cohorts across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study suggest that, on average, children gained weight at a higher rate during the pandemic. This research, titled “Changes in BMI during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” is published in Pediatrics.

Childhood obesity is a serious health condition that can affect long-term health and quality of life. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was concern among researchers and doctors that the closure of schools and the cancellation of recreation and sport activities would cause an increase in childhood obesity.

To understand the pandemic’s impact on children’s weight, researchers analyzed yearly changes in children’s body mass index (BMI) before and during the pandemic, considering each child’s age and sex. The researchers also investigated whether changes in BMI were different across specific sociodemographic traits including race, ethnicity, pre-pandemic BMI, and household income.

The results of this study indicated that on average children gained weight at an increased rate during the pandemic, and children who had obesity before the pandemic gained weight at a faster rate compared to children who were at a healthy weight pre-pandemic. Additionally, children in higher income households were at a lower risk of excess BMI gain during the pandemic.

“This study highlights the need for interventions to mitigate the physical and mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Knapp. “The conditions faced by families during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to an acceleration of weight gain in children. This study highlights the need to support less resourced families, who have borne the worst consequences of the pandemic.”

Future studies can explore strategies to help families and communities thrive amidst the challenges faced during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to alter children’s lives, it will be important to monitor changes in health outcomes among children and use these data to build programs to reduce health inequities.

Read the research summary.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Children Gained Weight Faster

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During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Children Gained Weight Faster

Authors: Emily Knapp, Aruna Chandran, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Results from this study show that during the COVID-19 pandemic, children gained weight at an increased rate compared to the years before the pandemic. Children who had obesity before the pandemic gained weight at a faster rate during the pandemic compared to children who were in a healthy weight range pre-pandemic. Children in higher income households were at a lower risk of excess weight gain during the pandemic.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This study highlights the need for programs and services to prevent and reduce the physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.

Why was this study needed?

Childhood obesity is a serious health condition that can affect long-term health and quality of life. There was concern among researchers and doctors that the COVID-19 pandemic may cause incidence of childhood obesity to increase due to the closure of schools and cancellation of recreational activities, leading to less physical activity and changes in eating habits.

Who was involved?

This study included 1,966 participants ages 2 through 18 years old from 38 ECHO cohorts across the United States.

What happened during the study?

The researchers compared annual changes in children’s body mass index (BMI)—a measure used to estimate body fat—before and during the pandemic. The researchers also took into account child’s age, sex, race and ethnicity, pre-pandemic BMI, mother’s education, and household income.

What happens next?

Future studies should explore strategies to support families during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to alter children’s lives, it will be important to monitor changes in health outcomes among children and use these data to build programs to reduce health inequities.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Changes in BMI during the COVID-19 Pandemic” in Pediatrics.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published June 30, 2022

Access the associated article.

Download this summary

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Children Gained Weight Faster

ECHO Researchers Report Higher Levels of Oxidative Stress among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Pregnant Women

Posted on June 10, 2022April 2, 2025 by Jodi Snare

A collaborative research effort led by Stephanie Eick, PhD, MPH of Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and Rachel Morello-Frosch PhD, MPH of the University of California, Berkeley investigated the relationship between various biological, behavioral, and social factors and higher levels of oxidative stress in pregnant women, which is often associated with poor prenatal health outcomes. Pregnant participants who were 30+ years old and had a college degree had lower levels of oxidative stress. In contrast, levels of oxidative stress were higher among pregnant participants who were overweight or obese, or unmarried. Levels of oxidative stress biomarkers were also higher among pregnant participants who were current smokers or had less than a high school education.

This research, titled “Associations between social, biologic, and behavioral factors and biomarkers of oxidative stress during pregnancy: Findings from four ECHO cohorts,” is published in Science of the Total Environment.

To measure oxidative stress, the researchers collected urine samples from approximately 2,000 pregnant participants in the mainland United States and Puerto Rico who were enrolled in one of four ECHO cohorts. They measured the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers at up to three time points during pregnancy and calculated the association between biomarker levels and biological, behavioral, and social factors. Maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, marital/partnered status, parity, and smoking status were included as biological and behavioral factors while race/ethnicity, maternal education, and stressful life events were considered social factors.

“This is the largest study to date to examine the relationship between biologic, social, and behavioral factors and oxidative stress during pregnancy,” said Dr. Eick. “Our results provide important clues into how social and economic inequalities lead to poor health in pregnant women.” This study may also inform future studies looking at risk factors for preterm birth.

As for ongoing research, the team is examining the impact of oxidative stress on adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth.

Read the Research Summary.

NIH Program Study Finds Association Between Prenatal Obesity and Child Autism-Related Behaviors

Posted on April 21, 2022June 7, 2023 by Jodi Snare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

According to a new National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study, there may be an association between certain conditions during a mother’s pregnancy, such as obesity and gestational diabetes, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-related behaviors in childhood.

The study included nearly 7,000 participants from 40 NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohorts. Eight of the cohorts included participants with increased likelihood of ASD. Researchers collected data on maternal health conditions during pregnancy, child autism-related social behaviors, and participant demographics.

The study suggested that maternal obesity and gestational diabetes were associated with indicators of autism-related social behaviors. Investigators did not see increases in these behaviors for children of mothers with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. There was no strong evidence to suggest that ASD-related traits were related to preterm birth or low birth weight, which are common complications of these pregnancy conditions.

Learn more about this research through the affiliated flash talk.

“Investigating how exposures, health conditions, and risk factors relate across the full range of the outcome distribution may help us learn more about the nature of these relationships and their impact on the population,” said Kristen Lyall, ScD of Drexel University.

Dr. Lyall and Christine Ladd-Acosta, PhD of Johns Hopkins University, are both ECHO Program investigators and led this collaborative effort. Their research is published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

“Our results highlight the need for better prenatal care and more monitoring of women experiencing conditions like obesity during pregnancy,” said Dr. Ladd-Acosta.

Lyall, K. et al. Cardiometabolic Pregnancy Complications in Association with Autism-Related Traits as Measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale in ECHO. American Journal of Epidemiology. DOI 10.1093/aje/kwac061 (2022)

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About ECHO: ECHO is a nationwide research program supported by the NIH. Launched in 2016, ECHO aims to enhance the health of children for generations to come. ECHO investigators study the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on child health and development. For more information, visit echochildren.org.

About the NIH: NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information, visit www.nih.gov.