Effects of School Closure on Lifestyle Behaviours and Health Outcomes in Children During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Chile: A Time-Matched Analysis

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to school closures, potentially impairing children s behaviours and health. We aimed to explore the effects of school closure on lifestyle behaviours (dietary habits, physical activity) and health outcomes (adiposity, fitness, self-esteem, self-concept) in children. Methods: We measured 247 children before school closure (October–November 2019) and after school reopening (October–November 2021) (COVID-19 group). To distinguish the changes due to school closure from changes due to growth, we included 655 age-matched children with cross-sectional measurements in October–November 2019 (control group). The response of this group (i.e., differences between children with 2 years of difference) was considered the expected response to growth. Two-way ANOVA was used to test age-by-group interactions, indicating an effect of school closure. Results: In 7-to-9-year-old children, the COVID-19 group had larger-than-expected decreases in physical activity (by 0.4 points), resulting in higher physical inactivity prevalence (by 19 percent points) at 9 years. This was accompanied by larger-than-expected increases in fat percentage (by 6.1 percent point). In 8-to-10-year-old children, the COVID-19 group had higher physical inactivity prevalence at 10 years (by 20 percent points). This was accompanied by larger-than-expected increases in fat percentage (by 8.3 percent points), z-score BMI (by 0.90 units), and waist circumference (by 6.1 cm). In 9-to-11-year-old children, the COVID-19 group had larger-than-expected decreases in physical activity (by 0.3 points) and increases in self-concept (by 0.2 points). The response in dietary habits, fitness, or self-esteem was not different between groups. Conclusion: Overall, school closure negatively impacted physical activity and adiposity, particularly in the youngest children. © 2024 The Author(s). Pediatric Obesity published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of World Obesity Federation.