Pandemic could increase childhood obesity levels say researchers
School closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic will exacerbate the epidemic of childhood obesity in the US, according to public health scientists at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.
Researchers expect school closures will double holiday time this year for many children, exacerbating the risk factors for weight gain that are associated with the summer holidays.
Andrew Rundle, associate professor of epidemiology and his colleagues have published their work in Obesity, the journal of the Obesity Society.
Data show children experience unhealthy weight gain during the summer months when they're out of school and that this effect is particularly apparent in children who are already overweight.
"There could be long-term consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic," says Rundle, who specialises in research to prevent childhood obesity.
"Research shows weight gained over the summer months is maintained during the school year and accrues from summer to summer. When a child experiences obesity, even at a young age, they are at risk for higher, unhealthy weight, all the way into middle age."
The authors suggest a number of strategies for reducing the risk, including building physical education into remote teaching plans and offering home lesson plans for physical activity and/or streaming exercise classes.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for widespread sickness and death, straining healthcare systems, shutting down economies, and closing school districts," says Rundle. "While it's a priority to mitigate its immediate impact, it's also important to consider ways of preventing its long-term effects, including new risks for childhood obesity."
Childhood obesity Obesity Society COVID-19 pandemic research Andrew Rundle Columbia University's Mailman School of Public HealthCMO report: 10 recommendations to end childhood obesity
FEATURE: HCM research – Old before their time
FEATURE: HCM People – Amanda Daley
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From climate change to resource scarcity, Exploration Architecture uses biomimicry to address some of the world’s major challenges. Its founder tells us how