ABSTRACT
The last period of Covid-19 has markedly changed the life of preschool aged children with impact on health and nutrition in the period of growth and development. The aim of the research was to evaluate the selected health and nutritional parameters influenced by pandemic Covid-19. The set concluded children (n=130) from 4 up to 6 years old (55.4% girls, 44.6% boys). The majority of set was presented by children 5-5.99 years (64.6%). Anthropometric data were evaluated by percentile method and growth charts. The nutrition status was estimated by on-line questionnaire. Software Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA) was used. During the 3rd wave of pandemic (from September 2021 up to now) it has been noticed the rise of weight by 0.9 ± 0.1 kg. In term of weight the set was presented by 58.5% of children belonged to percentile range of low and medium values (group A) and 41.5% of children (group B) had high values (19.2% high, 6.9% very high, 15.4% extremely high weight). More children in group B (7.4 vs. 34.2%) had low body height values (p < 0.01) and high values prevailed in group A. The medium values of body mass index was typical for the group B (p < 0.001) (22.2 vs. 60.5%;proportional children) and high values in group A (64.8 vs. 7.9%;obese or overweighted children). The children of group A consumed during pandemic vs. before pandemic lower amount of fresh/frozen fruit and vegetables. In the group A more than 2 portion of vegetable daily consumed less children during pandemic than before pandemic (27.8% vs. 31.5%) on contrary with fruit (50% vs. 42.6%). Physical activity more than 2 hours daily/outdoor sport activities had less children in group A during pandemic vs. before pandemic. Significant inadequate sleep (less than 8 hours) had the children belonged to group A before and during pandemic (11.1% and 16.7%) with predominance of children with irregular sleeping regime. During the Covid-19 pandemic, selected eating habits and lifestyle aspects of preschool children were affected. Further investigation of the long-term effects on children's weight and health is needed. © 2023, Consulting and Training Center - KEY. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic, domestic isolation and lockdown have resulted a change in people's lifestyles habits and behaviours, including nutritional behaviour worldwide. The aim of the research was to evaluate selected nutritional and health indicators and changes in eating habits of adults in Slovakia affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The group (n = 860;50.1% women) consisted of adults who did not have COVID-19, with a mean age of 41.3 ± 10.1 years. The comparison of eating habits from the online questionnaire was focused on the period before the pandemic vs. during the pandemic. The values of anthropometric parameters were obtained by the self-reported method. We used the software Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA) for statistical evaluation. Body weight increased during the pandemic in 39.2% of those surveyed. Significant (p < 0.05) weight loss was observed in men. During the pandemic, there was an increase in the consumption of milk and dairy products in 13.7% of respondents, but significantly (p < 0.001) more women (17.2% vs. 10%) limited the intake of milk and dairy products during the pandemic. The consumption of meat and meat products during the pandemic was significantly less in 22% of the group (with a predominance of women 26% vs. men 18%) (p < 0.01). A significant increase occurred in egg consumption in 14.9% of those surveyed (with a 6.4% predominance in males) (p < 0.05). Spirits were consumed by 67% of the group during the pandemic, significantly more men drank alcohol than women (74.8% vs. 59.2%) (p < 0.001). A favourable finding was the increased consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits during the pandemic period, while an increase in salt consumption was an unfavorable observation. During the pandemic the largest increase in the use of nutritional supplements was in the use of vitamin D (57.9%) and vitamin C (47.9%). However, the majority of respondents chose not to take probiotics (65%). Home isolation and lockdown resulted in a significant change in the nutritional behaviour of adults. © 2023, Consulting and Training Center - KEY. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
To mark World Obesity Day on 4th March 2021 an online survey was conducted between 4th and 8th March 2021 as part of the project "Be fit during the pandemic!". The aim was to analyze changes in eating habits, physical activity and health indicators in adults during the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 from March 2020 until March 2021. The survey involved 1,035 respondents from Slovakia (50.5% women and 49.5% men) with a mean age of 44.93 +or- 61.19 years (aged 20 to 73 years). Of those asked 70.9% lived in an urban area while 29.1% in the countryside. We assessed the lifestyle changes of the respondents using an anonymous questionnaire during the pandemic, based on whether they had Covid-19 and separated them by gender. We evaluated changes in health parameters (changes in glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triacylglycerol's, blood pressure, body mass index-BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio-WHR indices). We used the statistical software Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA) for statistical evaluation with differences considered significant at p < 0.05.15% of the adults asked recovered from Covid-19. In the respondents' diet, we confirmed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the consumption of meat and meat products, which were mainly consumed by men (37.97%, 9.49% more than women). During the pandemic, more women (p < 0.01) (44.30%) used vitamin D nutritional supplements than men (by 17.08%). When evaluating physical activity, more men (p < 0.01) used the stairs (33.76%, 10.76% more than women). In summary, to a greater or lesser extent, physical activity was predominantly performed by men (82.67% of men, 23.63% more than women, p < 0.05). Based on the online survey analyses, it is vital to raise people's awareness about positive lifestyle changes and their beneficial impact on health during a pandemic.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic and strict rules to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have caused significant changes in the lifestyle habits of the population. The aim of the research was to evaluate changes in the eating habits and selected aspects, including changes in body weight within the group of school-aged children in Slovakia caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The average age of the randomized group of children (n = 252) represented 8.6 ± 2.2 years. For the characteristic of 6-14 years old children the questionnaire method was used. The group consisted mainly of children aged 6-10 years (84.5%). Body weight and body height were calculated to the body mass index. The comparative assessment was focused on the pre-pandemic period vs. during a pandemic (in the 1st and 2nd wave of the pandemic). For statistical evaluation software Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA) was used. Body weight increased during the pandemic in 44.44% representatives of the research sample that can be evaluated as an unfavorable trait. The recommended 5-6 meals daily had significantly (p < 0.05) more children during the pandemic (54.37% vs. 43.65%). Snacks (evening/night meals) were consumed with the higher frequency of 1.3 ± 0.7 (p < 0.001). During the pandemic, children consumed significantly more bread and pastries, milk, fresh vegetables (p 0.05), pasta and cereals, meat products, yoghurts, eggs, fresh fruit, but also sweets, fast food, salty delicacies) (p < 0.001). In the pandemic period, the number of portions fish consumed increased to 1.32 ± 1.08 (p < 0.001), eggs to 3.48 ± 2.30 (p < 0.001), honey to 3.37 ± 3.67 (p < 0.01) per week. During the pandemic, the children took several nutritional supplements of the following types: vitamin C (p < 0.05), vitamin D (p < 0.001), zinc and ginger (p < 0.05). We have confirmed several negative changes in the consequences of the pandemic in school-aged children, which have pointed to the strategically necessary need for educational activity in terms of disease prevention in the post-covid period. © 2023, Consulting and Training Center - KEY. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
To mark World Obesity Day on 4th March 2021 an online survey was conducted between 4th and 8th March 2021 as part of the project “Be fit during the pandemic!”. The aim was to analyze changes in eating habits, physical activity and health indicators in adults during the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 from March 2020 until March 2021. The survey involved 1,035 respondents from Slovakia (50.5% women and 49.5% men) with a mean age of 44.93 ± 61.19 years (aged 20 to 73 years). Of those asked 70.9% lived in an urban area while 29.1% in the countryside. We assessed the lifestyle changes of the respondents using an anonymous questionnaire during the pandemic, based on whether they had Covid-19 and separated them by gender. We evaluated changes in health parameters (changes in glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triacylglycerol’s, blood pressure, body mass index-BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio-WHR indices). We used the statistical software Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA) for statistical evaluation with differences considered significant at p < 0.05. 15 % of the adults asked recovered from Covid-19. In the respondents’ diet, we confirmed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the consumption of meat and meat products, which were mainly consumed by men (37.97%, 9.49% more than women). During the pandemic, more women (p < 0.01) (44.30%) used vitamin D nutritional supplements than men (by 17.08%). When evaluating physical activity, more men (p < 0.01) used the stairs (33.76%, 10.76% more than women). In summary, to a greater or lesser extent, physical activity was predominantly performed by men (82.67% of men, 23.63% more than women, p < 0.05). Based on the online survey analyses, it is vital to raise people’s awareness about positive lifestyle changes and their beneficial impact on health during a pandemic. © 2022, Consulting and Training Center - KEY. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus has caused containment of more than a third of the world‘s population. Containment can drastically change lifestyle habits, exercise routine and psychological wellbeing. However, there is currently lack of data on the influence of confinement on eating habits. In this preliminary (observational) study, we examined the effect of COVID-19 isolation measures in Slovakia on selected haematological and biochemical parameters, body composition, dietary patterns and physical activity among 16 healthy volunteers. In this study were involved 16 volunteers (75 % women, aged 26-68 years). Whole blood was collected and subjected to immediate standard haematological analysis using the automated haematology analyser Sysmex KX-21N (Sysmex Co., Bellport, NY, USA). Concentrations of serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed using commercially available diagnostic kits (Randox, UK) and measured using the automatic analyzer Advia 1800 (Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen, Germany). A direct ISE method and automated clinical analyzer Biolis 24i Premium (Tokyo Boeki Medical System Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) were used to assess the serum concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride. Haemoglobin A1c was assessed using highperformance liquid chromatography system sets BIO-RAD D-10 Haemoglobin Testing System (Bio-Rad Laboratories Co., Hercules, CA, USA). A multifrequency bioimpedance method was used to determine the body composition, and a questionnaire was prepared to assess eating and exercise habits before and during the home confinement. We used paired t-tests to evaluate the significance of changes from prelockdown to lockdown in the responses. All statistical analyses were performed using the statistical software Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA).It was revealed that glycated haemoglobin increased significantly (P < 0.001) during home confinement, while glucose concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in comparison to the pre-lockdown period. A significantly increased calcium concentration (P < 0.001) was observed while a significant decline was recorded in case of iron (P < 0.05) following home confinement. The haematological and other biochemical markers were not affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. Similarly, the anthropometric parameters remained relatively stable throughout the lockdown period. The survey revealed that physical activity of moderate intensity increased by 90.75% during home confinement. While the number of meals per day increased by 33% during the lockdown, the consumption of unhealthy food and/or snacks remained the same. While self-isolation is currently the most effective policy to reduce the health implications of a global pandemic, our results indicate that home confinement may alter dietary patterns, exercise routine and lifestyle choices of the population, which may be translated into tangible physiological changes. © 2022, Consulting and Training Center - KEY. All rights reserved.