Rise of Obesity in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Effects on their Health: A Systematic Literature Review

Introduction: This systematic review will explore the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 on children in terms of lifestyle changes that could have led to increased obesity, describe effects on health brought about by these changes, and identify interventions undertaken during this period to reduce the negative impact of childhood obesity. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the rules of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA), obtaining articles for review from several databases. Descriptive studies involving obesity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic period were identified. Results: Out of 4350 articles identified, 20 were selected for data extraction and analysis. Obesity has been on the rise during the pandemic due to several lifestyle changes such as decrease in physical activity, increase in screen time, changes in sleep pattern and changes in dietary behaviors. The increased risk of obesity is accompanied by mental health problems such as anxiety and stress and chances of contracting non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: The lifestyle modifications assessed across the studies will help to implement future programs to reduce severity and counteract the rise in obesity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a peaceful transition to the new normal.