ESPE Abstracts

Background: COVID-19 restriction measurements have enhanced the obesity status in the pediatric population which might further contribute to obesity related glucose-insulin metabolism alterations. Therefore, we retrospectively compared anthropometric and OGTT data on obese children during the 13 years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Subjects/Methods: Data from 741 obese/overweight children were retrieved and clustered into 7 groups starting from year 2008-2009 until 2020-2021. Differences in anthropometric measurements and glucose/insulin metabolism were evaluated between the different groups.

Results: Overweight/obese children in the COVID-19 restriction group did not present increased values of SDS-¬Body Mass Index (BMI). Significantly higher values for Waist Circumference (WC), SDS-WC, Waist/Height ratio (WHtR) and body mass fat were detected in these children (all P<0.01). Fasting glycaemia, glucose and insulin excursions during OGTT were significantly higher compared to pre¬-pandemic children (all P<0.01). Fasting and post-load insulin resistance indexes were higher while insulin secretion was lower (all P<0.01) during OGTT determining a significantly higher percentage of impaired glucose tolerance in the COVID-19 restriction group (P<0.002). Furthermore, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly lower (P<0.01) and SDS for systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly higher (P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively).

Conclusions: COVID-19 restriction measurements determined profound alterations in glucose and insulin metabolism in obese/overweight children. Urgent strategies are needed in order to reverse COVID-19 restriction measures effects on glucose and insulin metabolism.