Pediatricians say more children across the U.S. are heavier than they’ve ever been before, thanks to the pandemic, raising concerns about childhood obesity.
Dr. Gary Kirkilas, a Phoenix pediatrician, told ABC15 Arizona he’s noticed the trend as children come in for back-to-school checkups. A significant number of children he sees are now considered medically overweight or obese children.
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“I see it quite a bit,” Kirklas said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent data, nearly 26% of Hispanic and around 24% of Black children are obese.
Roughly 16% of White children and 6% of Asian juveniles saw a 6% increase.
Overall, roughly 19.3% of U.S. children are considered obese, and the CDC calls it a “serious problem.” Doctors say obesity is an underlying condition that worsens COVID-19 symptoms.
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Parents may not have noticed the weight gain, Kirkilas said, because it’s happening “right under their noses.” They spend much more time with their children on a day-to-day basis than before the pandemic.
Children who are obese are more likely to have high blood pressure and cholesterol, develop type 2 diabetes and breathing problems, and face self-esteem issues, bullying, and stigma. They are also more likely to become obese adults with several risk factors impacting their health.
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