Introduction The impact of stunting, thinness and obesity on depression and anxiety during challenging times, such as COVID-19, has not been adequately explored. This study aimed to estimate these relationships using longitudinal data from the four countries: Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam. Methods We conducted an analysis using data from the Younger Cohort of the Young Lives study, which tracked 8000 children from 2002 to 2021. The first five rounds of the study assessed nutrition (stunting, thinness and obesity). The sixth round evaluated outcomes at three different time points. For the analyses, we employed a random effects ordered logistic regression model. Results During the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing stunting in a previous assessment round was associated with higher levels of depression (OR=1.34, p=0.025). Each additional year of stunting duration was linked to a greater severity of depression (OR=1.08, p=0.018). Additionally, longer durations of thinness were associated with an 11% increased risk of depression (OR=1.11, p=0.021). Meanwhile, experiencing stunting at least once over the five assessment rounds and the duration of stunting showed a weaker association with anxiety (OR=1.18, p=0.090) and (OR=1.06, p=0.065), respectively. Conclusions Stunting and thinness are linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing health investments and the need to incorporate child nutrition programmes into disaster preparedness plans to address the long-term effects of malnutrition.
Dessie et al. (Sun,) studied this question.