Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD study

ObjectiveLittle is known about the differential impact of communication methods and BMI. Hence, this study aims to examine the association of in-person and online communication with BMI among 13–14-year-old students during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThis is a cross-sectional study which used data f...

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Main Authors: Floret Maame Owusu, Nobutoshi Nawa, Hisaaki Nishimura, Yu Par Khin, Doi Satomi, Shiori Shakagori, Aya Isumi, Takeo Fujiwara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1433523/full
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author Floret Maame Owusu
Nobutoshi Nawa
Hisaaki Nishimura
Yu Par Khin
Doi Satomi
Shiori Shakagori
Aya Isumi
Takeo Fujiwara
author_facet Floret Maame Owusu
Nobutoshi Nawa
Hisaaki Nishimura
Yu Par Khin
Doi Satomi
Shiori Shakagori
Aya Isumi
Takeo Fujiwara
author_sort Floret Maame Owusu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveLittle is known about the differential impact of communication methods and BMI. Hence, this study aims to examine the association of in-person and online communication with BMI among 13–14-year-old students during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThis is a cross-sectional study which used data from the Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty study among Junior High School students in Adachi City, Tokyo in 2022(N = 3,178). A questionnaire was used to assess communication methods and frequency. BMI was categorized into overweight and obesity (≥ + 1SD), normal weight (−1SD to <+1SD) and underweight (<−1SD) based on WHO standard. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between communication methods and BMI.ResultsReduced in-person communication frequency was associated with 94% higher risk of overweight and obese (RRR = 1.94, 95%CI; 1.38, 2.72) while increased online communication frequency was associated with 46% increased risk (RRR = 1.46, 95%CI; 1.10, 1.95). When online and in-person communications were adjusted simultaneously, only reduced in-person communication frequency was associated with a high risk of overweight and obese (RRR = 1.56, 95%CI; 1.09, 2.25). When stratified by gender, a similar trend was observed among females (RRR = 2.12, 95%CI; 1.20, 3.73), but not in males.ConclusionReduced in-person communication frequency was associated with higher risk of overweight and obesity, especially among females, during COVID-19 in Japan.
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spelling doaj-art-4a2624bca71a4c92ace241aed47607d82025-08-20T02:11:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-02-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.14335231433523Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD studyFloret Maame OwusuNobutoshi NawaHisaaki NishimuraYu Par KhinDoi SatomiShiori ShakagoriAya IsumiTakeo FujiwaraObjectiveLittle is known about the differential impact of communication methods and BMI. Hence, this study aims to examine the association of in-person and online communication with BMI among 13–14-year-old students during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThis is a cross-sectional study which used data from the Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty study among Junior High School students in Adachi City, Tokyo in 2022(N = 3,178). A questionnaire was used to assess communication methods and frequency. BMI was categorized into overweight and obesity (≥ + 1SD), normal weight (−1SD to <+1SD) and underweight (<−1SD) based on WHO standard. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between communication methods and BMI.ResultsReduced in-person communication frequency was associated with 94% higher risk of overweight and obese (RRR = 1.94, 95%CI; 1.38, 2.72) while increased online communication frequency was associated with 46% increased risk (RRR = 1.46, 95%CI; 1.10, 1.95). When online and in-person communications were adjusted simultaneously, only reduced in-person communication frequency was associated with a high risk of overweight and obese (RRR = 1.56, 95%CI; 1.09, 2.25). When stratified by gender, a similar trend was observed among females (RRR = 2.12, 95%CI; 1.20, 3.73), but not in males.ConclusionReduced in-person communication frequency was associated with higher risk of overweight and obesity, especially among females, during COVID-19 in Japan.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1433523/fulladolescent healthBMIcommunication styleCOVID-19Japan
spellingShingle Floret Maame Owusu
Nobutoshi Nawa
Hisaaki Nishimura
Yu Par Khin
Doi Satomi
Shiori Shakagori
Aya Isumi
Takeo Fujiwara
Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD study
Frontiers in Public Health
adolescent health
BMI
communication style
COVID-19
Japan
title Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD study
title_full Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD study
title_fullStr Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD study
title_full_unstemmed Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD study
title_short Association of communication methods and frequency with BMI among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from A-CHILD study
title_sort association of communication methods and frequency with bmi among adolescents during the covid 19 pandemic findings from a child study
topic adolescent health
BMI
communication style
COVID-19
Japan
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1433523/full
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