Increase in body weight in schoolchildren from 0 to 15 years of public teaching network in Cascavel-PR in the period 2016 to 2021. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

Objective: To assess the variation of body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of public school students in Cascavel-PR in the period 2016 to 2021 and to relate to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Body weight (kg) and BMI (kg/m2) were analyzed for 20,233 schoolchildren registered by the School Health Program (PSE) in the age range 0 to 15 years between 2016 and 2021. Results: The average body weight (2016: 12.40kg; 2017:12.52kg; 2018: 13.98kg; 2019: 15.97kg 2021: 19.92kg) and BMI values (2016:17.61kg/m2; 2017:17.72kg/m2; 2018: 17.79kg/m2; 2019:18.41kg/m2 and 2021: 19.11kg/m2) were gradually increased among schoolchildren over time, with increases of 20 19 to 2021, statistically higher compared to previous years. Conclusion: Schoolchildren from the public school system showed increased body weight and BMI over time, with higher weight gain values observed in the years of the COVID-19 pandemic.