How the COVID-19 Pandemic Worsened Childhood Obesity in Arkansas – ACHI

The primary wave of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a big improve in childhood weight problems in Arkansas, ACHI President and CEO writes in his newest column for the Healthcare Journal of Arkansas.

An evaluation by ACHI, as of right now (Nov. 14) nonetheless being finalized, of physique mass index (BMI) knowledge for Arkansas public college kids in grades Okay, two, 4, six, eight, and 10 within the 2020-21 college 12 months discovered that 26% of youngsters had BMI measurements labeled as overweight, up from 22.9% within the earlier 12 months. The proportion of scholars labeled as overweight elevated considerably not solely among the many general group of scholars however in every of the grades measured.

“The pandemic disrupted all our lives,” Thompson writes. “To restrict the unfold of COVID-19, faculties made non permanent shifts to distant studying, lowering college students’ entry to organized bodily exercise and wholesome college meals. … Routines have been upended and stress elements elevated, probably contributing to overeating and consumption of unhealthy meals. Isolation led to extra display time and fewer social interplay, together with organized sports activities and leisure actions.”

Thompson concludes the column by suggesting methods policymakers and oldsters can encourage more healthy habits in Arkansas’s youngsters.