Changes in Eating Habits and Sedentary Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents With Chronic Conditions

Abstract

Introduction: Among healthy adolescents, school closures and home confinement were shown to increase unhealthier eating habits and sedentary behavior. It remains unknown to which extent the pandemic has impacted the lifestyle of adolescents with chronic conditions. Thus, the aim of this study is to report on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on eating habits and sedentary behavior among adolescents with multiple chronic conditions (n = 347) from a tertiary, referral hospital vs. healthy peers.Methods: This observational study was conducted in São Paulo (Brazil) between July and October 2020, period in which a set of social distancing measures to contain the pandemic.Results: The main findings of this study were that adolescents with chronic conditions and health peers showed important changes in eating habits (e.g., more often cooking and eating in front of television than before quarantine). Also, 86.8% of adolescents with chronic conditions and 91.6% of healthy adolescents reported increasing screen time during pandemic. No major differences were observed between patients and controls.Conclusions: Adolescents with chronic conditions and healthy peers exposed to pandemic showed substantial changes in lifestyle, stressing the need for specific care to mitigate poor eating habits and excessive sedentary behavior for patients and healthy adolescents.

Eating habits of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 era: A systematic review

“…“Convenience food” was considered processed food in this study. Three studies showed a decrease ( 22 , 39 , 42 ), and two showed no change in consumption of processed food ( 21 , 25 ). The authors noted that the consumption of fast foods was reduced after “stay-home” orders.…”

“…Confinements and stay-home orders led to positive changes in daily lifestyle, one of which was the increased consumption of home-cooked meals ( 2 , 20 , 29 , 42 ). Closure of shops, malls, and restaurants or limited open hours have made respondents shift to home-cooked meals ( 2 ).…”

“…Closure of shops, malls, and restaurants or limited open hours have made respondents shift to home-cooked meals ( 2 ). Consuming more home-cooked food provides spending more time with family by participating in cooking, eating together, and communicating ( 20 , 42 ). Parents are generally responsible for providing food for their children, so they should be educated about preparing healthy foods and building healthy eating habits ( 20 , 42 ).…”

Food consumption based on processing level (according to Nova system) during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents with immunocompromised conditions: a case-control study

“…Social distancing measures may be even more restrictive to adolescents with immunocompromised conditions, as they are deemed to be at a higher risk of severe disease ( 4 ), and as routine changes, modifications to dietary habits and quality may be even more significant. However, the clinical impact of changes in eating habits during the pandemic is still controversial, as both positive (i.e., participation in home-cooking, eating with others) and negative (i.e., snacking, eating in front of television) changes have been observed ( 5 , 6 ). Indeed, a previous study from our group showed that adolescents with immunosuppressed chronic conditions changed their eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, cooking and consuming more home-made meals, but also eating more in front of the TV ( 5 ).…”

“…However, the clinical impact of changes in eating habits during the pandemic is still controversial, as both positive (i.e., participation in home-cooking, eating with others) and negative (i.e., snacking, eating in front of television) changes have been observed ( 5 , 6 ). Indeed, a previous study from our group showed that adolescents with immunosuppressed chronic conditions changed their eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, cooking and consuming more home-made meals, but also eating more in front of the TV ( 5 ). These dietary habits may modify diet quality.…”