As more schools open for in-person learning and some organized sports start again, many children are returning to the world after having packed on extra body weight. While data is few on whether there's been a rise in children's weight over the pandemic(大流行病), some health professionals have seen worrisome signs. Suzannah Stivison, a nurse in Kensington, Md. , said that some of her patients put on what she calls "the other COVID- 19"— as in, 19 pounds.
A loss of daily arrangements, in school and extracurriculars, left kids looking for a sense of control that many have found in eating. One of the ways that people regained a routine and a schedule within their families was most likely around meals. Since last March, adults joined the bread-baking craze and ate junk food as they liked.
Stivison herself admits the bad effect of the pandemic. "I never have Cheetos in my house. But all of a sudden, they appeared, "she said. "And this has been a phenomenon that I have seen in lots of houses. Eating became something we could control. And it's also something we use for comfort."
Children tend to gain weight during periods like summer vacation, when fewer are getting regular exercise through organized sports and physical education. But there are supportive ways parents can help get their kids back to a healthier lifestyle. It's less about talking and more about setting an example. Talking about risk factors such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease doesn't really work, especially with younger kids. Kids know they're heavier than their peers. They know they get out of breath.
However, parents can model good habits like exercising an hour a day or keeping the house stored with healthier foods. "It really comes down to the modeling and the opportunity we can control what food comes into the house," Stivison said. "And so guess what? I've stopped buying Cheetos. "
