The impact of lockdown on Aragonese children

A geographical analysis of childhood obesity pre- and post-lockdown

Bibliographic Data

ID22083092
AuthorsAlba Gállego-Royo (Servicio Aragonés de Salud, corresponding author), Carmen Bentué-Martinez (Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón), María Zúñiga Antón (0000-0002-9541-5609, Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón), Ana Gastón-Faci (Servicio Aragonés de Salud), Nuria Val-Jimenez (Servicio Aragonés de Salud), Bárbara Marco-Gomez (0000-0002-3066-6781, Universidad de Zaragoza), Rosa Magallón-Botaya (0000-0002-3006-5353, Universidad de Zaragoza)
Year2026
Volume13
Pages1696722-1696722
Publication date2026-01-16
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1696722
PMID41626389
OpenAlexW7124454506
LanguageEN
References cited25

Background: Childhood obesity remains a major public health concern, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines temporal and spatial patterns in childhood obesity and overweight in Aragón, Spain, before (2018-2019) and after (2021) pandemic lockdowns. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis using anthropometric data from children aged 0-14 years attending public health centres. Data were extracted from electronic medical records and classified according to national diagnostic standards. Sociodemographic indicators, including parental education and income, were derived from official datasets and geoprocessed to the Basic Health Zone (BHZ) level. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced socioeconomic dimensions, whilst Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) examined spatial associations. Results: 6 years. Urban-rural typology alone did not fully explain the patterns; instead, intermediate-population BHZs and rural areas near urban centres exhibited higher prevalence. GWR analyses revealed spatial variability in the relationship between obesity and socioeconomic indicators, particularly in Zaragoza province, with income and education levels significantly associated with prevalence. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic reversed prior improvements in childhood obesity trends in Aragón. Socioeconomic inequalities, especially related to parental education and income, strongly influence obesity distribution at the local level. Geographically targeted policies are needed to reduce disparities and prevent long-term health consequences in children

Childhood obesity · Early childhood · Health equity · Obesity · Pandemic · Socioeconomic status · COVID-19 and healthcare impacts · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access