ABSTRACT
This study sought to identify the repercussions of the pandemic on the body weight of adolescents during social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated life habits. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out with adolescents enrolled in elementary school II in public schools in the north of Minas Gerais. Data collection was performed in virtual format through Google Forms. Questions were collected about changes in body weight, sociodemographic profile, anthropometric data, self-perception of body image, physical activity, screen time, consumption of ultra-processed foods, sleep quality and self-perception of health status. Pearson's chi-square test was used for analysis. Results: A total of 287 adolescents participated in the study, with a mean age of 12.97 years SD & PLUSMN;1.30, 60.3% (n=173) were female and 39.7% (n=114) were male. When evaluating the impact of the pandemic on the body weight of adolescents through self-report, it was observed that 63.8% (n=183) increased, 27.5% (n=79) maintained, and 08.7% (n=25) decreased body weight during the period of social isolation. Significant associations were observed between age group, nutritional status, body image, practice, and changes in physical activity. Conclusion: It is concluded that the habits and life behaviors adopted by adolescents during social isolation had a negative impact on the adolescents' body weight. The practice of PA is insufficient and dissatisfaction with body image associated with weight gain. In addition, social isolation caused an increase in body weight in eutrophic adolescents.
ABSTRACT
One major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's lifestyles is the lack of exercise owing to activity restrictions. However, information regarding the way in which physical functions among children decline under these circumstances remains scarce. In this study, we compared the physical functions and life habits among children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The participants involved 40 children aged between 9-15 years (23 girls and 17 boys) who were examined medically both before and during the pandemic. The compared variables included muscle strength, static and dynamic balance functions, gait speed, body fat percentage, screen and sleep times, quality of life, and physical activity time. During the pandemic, compared to before the pandemic, children had lower levels of dynamic balance functions (p = 0.039), increased body fat percentages (p < 0.0001), longer screen time per day (p = 0.002), and shorter sleep time per day (p < 0.0001). Between the two periods, there were no significant differences in muscle strength, static balance functions, gait speed, quality of life, and physical activity time. The activity restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affect dynamic balance functions, body-fat levels, and life habits among children.