Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Body Weight, Eating Habits, and Physical Activity of Jordanian Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic affects lifestyle patterns globally and impacts children and adolescents. This study aims to assess the effect of the lockdown on body weight, eating habits, and physical activity of Jordanian youth (children and adolescents). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 477 Jordanian children and adolescents aged 6-17 y. The study tool was a structured validated questionnaire. It comprised 4 parts, including a general description of the study purpose, sociodemographic and anthropometric data, physical activity data, and food intake pattern. Questions were reported before and during lockdown. Changes in outcomes over the 2 study time points were evaluated. Results: After the lockdown period, the mean body weight and body mass index for age Z-scores (BAZ) showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) compared with before the lockdown period. More than 50% of the subjects reported that they spent more than 3 h in front of the screen during the lockdown. The percent of subjects who watched TV for more than 3h was increased. Moreover, physical inactivity was increased significantly during the lockdown. All food groups consumption was significantly increased during the lockdown compared to before the lockdown. Conclusions: COVID-19 lockdown period was characterized by an increase in the use of screen-based devices, lower physical activity, uncontrolled food intake, and weight gain.

Changes in health quality, lifestyle and habits in adolescents that induced by COVID-19 pandemic. Covid 19 lifestyle effect in adolescents

“…Furthermore, Androutsos et al claimed that 66.9% of parents observed that the physical activity of their children was declined [11]. Characteristically, Ng et al stated that 20% of the Irish teenagers took part in their study, had increased their physical activity,30% had no changes during the pandemic and 50% of them characterized by physical inactivity [17].Those observations were also confirmed in Al Hourani's et al study, which found that more than 50% of adolescents did not exercise or exercise for less than an hour [12]. It should be noted that Orgilés et al emphasized the role of the family relationships, highlighting good family relationships, as an enhancing factor to adolescents exercise [8].…”

“…In another study, Al Hourani et al showed that 70% of adolescents spent more than 3 hours per day in front of a screen [7]. Francisco et al also observed that before quarantine, MARCH-AUGUST 2021 |VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 they used to spend less than 1 hour [7], [12] and during the pandemic the use was increased. In addition, in Italy, Portugal and Spain the The reports from the articles proved that COVID-19 pandemic affected adolescents including their sleep habits.…”

“…As far as screen time is concerned, an increase was observed in hours spent [3], [5], [6], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12],[13]. Segre et al [4] claimed that 31.7% of adolescents spent more than 2 hours in their free time and 68.3% less than 2 hours.…”

“…Weight gain during COVID-19 pandemic seemed to be related with physical inactivity [4], [11], [12],[13], [14], [15], [17]. There was a lack of weigh control in obese or overweight adolescents during quarantine [15].…”

“…Eating habits have been altered too. For example, food intake raised [12], [18], [19], [20]. Dondi [4].…”