Longitudinal Trends in Body Mass Index Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Persons Aged 2-19 Years -- United States, 2018-2020.

The article examines longitudinal trends in body mass index (BMI) among children and adolescents aged 2–19 years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The study shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant increase in BMI among this age group, particularly among those with overweight or obesity, emphasizing the need for efforts to prevent excess weight gain and promote healthy behaviors during public health emergencies.