Pediatricians warn that prolonged outbreaks of pandemic coronavirus on personal education, sports, and other activities lead to weight gain that can have long-term effects on children’s health.
Students are eating more and exercising less, and nutritionists and doctors who study obesity worry that the pandemic puts children at greater risk for illness. type two diabetes and asthma, among other health concerns.
“We see a lot of school-age primary school children earning 20 to 30 pounds a year,” said Hai Cao, pediatrician and owner of South Slope Pediatrics in Brooklyn, NY
Brittany Wilson, an assistant physician with Island Kids Pediatrics on Staten Island, NY, said the pandemic appears to have accelerated weight gain among patients who were already obese. 6 to 12 year olds seem to benefit the most.
“Even children in grammar school are getting depressed,” Ms Wilson said. “They miss their friends. Many of them are not doing so well academically. Depression also comes with stress. They are tired, and I think they are eating comfort. ”