The Outcome of COVID-19 Lockdown on Changes in Body Mass Index and Lifestyle among Croatian Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic altered adults’ and children’s lifestyles and habits, causing an increase in body weight. Adolescents are sensitive to habit changes and, because of their insufficient capacity to deal with the unexpected COVID-19 changes, were at greater risk of noncommunicable disease development due to the consequences of adopting unhealthy habits. The survey aimed to reveal the changes in nutritional status and lifestyle habits of school children in Croatia and to assess their nutrition knowledge and emotional state and feelings about COVID-19 lockdown. Self-reported data from 1370 school children aged 10 to 15 years were obtained to examine the influence of the lockdown on their nutritional status, lifestyle and emotional status, and to assess their nutrition knowledge. The study revealed that the COVID-19 lockdown has caused an increase in the proportion of overweight and obesity among Croatian school children who changed their lifestyle habits towards being less physically active, spending more time using screen-based media and revealing potential psychological distress. However, the schoolchildren had a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet assessed with the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents KIDMED index and had good nutrition knowledge. Public health programs promoting a healthy lifestyle and involving the whole family, in a school environment, could provide children with a healthy adulthood.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Jordanian eating and nutritional habits

“…This means that females had significantly more healthy eating and feeding habits during the epidemic than males. Consistent with our observations, Kenđel Jovanović G et al found that females consumed significantly more olive oils and sweets than males (P-value was 0.047 and 0.002, respectively) while no association was found between gender and fruit and vegetable intake [ 26 ]. Rodríguez-Pérez C reported that males had a significant difference in the consumption of fruits, vegetables and olive oil [ 29 ].…”

“…This agrees with the Italian study by Mattioli, A.V, and colleagues, which states that obesity is likely to be a consequence of quarantine stress attributable to a change in lifestyle and eating habits. Kenđel Jovanović G et al found significant weight gain in Croatian children as the prevalence of obesity in school children increased from 21% before closure to 24% after closure [ 26 ]. In our study, 59 out of 151 children (39.1%) gained weight during closure.…”

“…This is going in line with the findings in a study of dietary behaviors of the Spanish adult population resulted in outlined healthier nutritional behaviors (e.g., decreased intake of fried foods, snacks, fast foods, red meat, pastries, or sweet beverages, but increased olive oil, vegetables, fruits or legumes) during the confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak when compared to previous habits. [ 29 ] Also, several studies reported increased fruit and vegetable intake during the lockdown 10 , 12 , 21 , 24 , 26 . On the contrary, Matsungo TM et al, who conducted their research in Zimbabwe, found that 64.9% and 48.5% of their participants decreased in fruit and vegetable intake respectively while they found 33.7% of participants increased dark green vegetable consumption [ 30 ].…”

Health-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Schoolchildren and Its Association with the Fitness Status and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

“…Finally, it is important to highlight that the data in our study were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the results may be affected, since during this stage, children have undergone changes that have affected their lifestyle, as evidenced by different existing publications in the literature [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ].…”

Mortality from circulatory diseases

“…LGBTIQ+ young people were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression, findings echoed in Belgium (albeit amongst adults) where survey research suggests that the pandemic exacerbated mental health disparities by sexual orientation (Just Like Us, 2021 [30]; Reyniers et al, 2022[31]);. A survey of under-18s in the United Kingdom found that ethnic minority young people were significantly more likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depression and have suicidal thoughts than their white counterparts (Kooth, 2021[32]).…”