Study: Childhood obesity in US accelerated during pandemic - Associated Press

Childhood obesity has been increasing for decades, but the new work suggests an acceleration last year — especially in those who already were obese when the pandemic started.

—Before the pandemic, children who were a healthy weight were gaining an average of 3.4 pounds a year.

—For kids who were moderately obese, expected weight gain rose from 6.5 pounds a year before the pandemic to 12 pounds after the pandemic began.

—For severely obese kids, expected annual weight gain went from 8.8 pounds to 14.6 pounds.

Earlier this week, the CDC said the number of states in which at least 35% of residents are obese increased last year by four.