Lifestyle changes for young children during Covid-19 lockdowns is a key factor in rising levels of childhood obesity among 10- and 11-year-olds, researchers have found.
The study from the Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and the National Institute for Health and Care Research found that childhood obesity levels surged from 2019 to 2021 due to a change in young people’s eating habits and activity levels during national Covid-19 lockdowns.
Increased screen time, lack of sleep and outdoor physical activity was attributed to rising obesity levels.
Data was drawn from the National Childhood Measurement Programme, which weighs children at the beginning and end of primary school, to calculate childhood obesity rates.
