Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), Warsaw, Poland.
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2024 Mar 25;31(1):78-86. doi: 10.26444/aaem/175537. Epub 2024 Jan 3.
The COVID-19 pandemic had many direct and indirect effects, including lifestyle changes in all subpopulations, including children and adolescents. The aim of the study was to identify: 1) attitudes of students aged 7-12 years and their parents towards food, nutrition, and physical activity; 2) changes in the consumption of basic food products during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A qualitative survey was conducted among students and their parents using the Focus Group Interview method, as well as quantitative research among parents and schoolchildren aged 10-12 years.
During the pandemic, changes were demonstrated in the eating habits of primary schoolchildren which were both positive and negative. Positive changes include a greater number of meals and their regularity, especially in relation to meals prepared at home, and a greater consumption of mainly fruit, and to a lesser extent vegetables and whole grain products. Among the negative changes observed were an increased consumption of salty snacks and sweets, including those prepared at home. Moreover, limiting physical activity during isolation may have resulted, as a long-term effect, in excessive body weight and obesity-related non-communicable diseases in children and adolescence, and later in adulthood.
There is a need to develop post-pandemic support strategies addressed to both schoolchildren and their parents regarding adequate eating behaviours and physical activity.
新冠疫情有许多直接和间接的影响，包括所有人群，包括儿童和青少年，生活方式的改变。本研究的目的是确定：1）7-12 岁学生及其家长对食物、营养和身体活动的态度；2）新冠疫情期间基本食品消费的变化。
采用焦点小组访谈法对学生及其家长进行定性调查，以及对 10-12 岁的家长和在校学生进行定量研究。
在疫情期间，小学生的饮食习惯发生了变化，既有积极的也有消极的。积极的变化包括更多的餐数和规律，尤其是在家准备的餐食，以及更多地消费水果，其次是蔬菜和全谷物产品。观察到的消极变化包括增加食用咸味零食和糖果，包括在家准备的。此外，隔离期间限制身体活动可能会导致儿童和青少年长期体重过重和肥胖相关的非传染性疾病，进而在成年后导致这些疾病。
需要制定针对儿童和家长的后疫情支持策略，以促进适当的饮食行为和身体活动。
