Changes in the Proportional Distribution of Childhood Obesity During COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern, with increasing rates observed in the pediatric and teenage population. Restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted daily routines, leading to reduced physical activity, prolonged use of electronic devices, and lifestyle modifications that contribute to weight gain. Obesity during childhood is correlated with an elevated likelihood of early mortality as well as chronic conditions in later life. While there have been some recent reports on the distribution of childhood obesity across the United Arab Emirates, data from the Hatta region, especially from Hatta hospital, remain unavailable. This research explored how childhood obesity changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from Hatta Hospital, including children who attended the outpatient pediatric and family medicine clinics for routine care. Body mass index (BMI) data were extracted from electronic medical records and were classified according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2000) age- and sex-specific BMI-for-age percentiles. The frequency of obesity observed during the COVID-19 period (March 2020–December 2021) was compared with pre-pandemic data (January–December 2019) to assess any significant changes in proportional distribution.Results: In 2019, 287 out of 3850 children (7.5%) were classified as obese. During the pandemic period, 512 of 4205 children (12.2%) were identified as obese, reflecting a 63% relative increase (p < 0.001). A shift toward younger age groups was observed, with the median age of obese children decreasing from 10 years pre-COVID to 8 years during COVID (p < 0.001). The male-to-female ratio remained relatively stable, and UAE nationals comprised the largest proportion of cases in both periods. The obesity class distribution showed no significant change, with Class I obesity being the most common.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic period was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of childhood obesity, extending even to rural settings like Hatta. These findings highlight the need for timely, proactive interventions to address childhood obesity, particularly as pandemic-related lifestyle shifts may have amplified unhealthy behaviors. Strengthening community-based efforts will be essential to prevent further escalation.