Comparative Analysis of Dietary Behavior in Children and Parents During COVID-19 Lockdowns in Greece: Insights from a Non-Representative Sample.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Home isolation measures during the COVID-19 lockdown periods may have influenced individuals' lifestyles. The COVEAT study aimed to identify differences in children's and their parents' dietary behavior, children's body weight and parental body mass index (BMI) between two lockdown periods implemented in Greece.

METHODS

In total, 61 participants (children 2-18 years and their parents) completed questionnaires about their lifestyle, body weight and height, and family socio-demographic data, during both lockdown periods (LDs) implemented in Greece (LD1 in March-May 2020; LD2 in December 2020-January 2021).

RESULTS

No significant differences in parents' BMI and fluctuations in children's/adolescents' body weight and BMI were observed in LD2 compared to LD1. Regarding dietary behavior, in LD2 fewer parents were found to have dinner and prepared home meals and more families reported to order fast food. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the consumption of fresh and prepacked juices and an increase in fast-food consumption were observed for children/adolescents in LD2 compared to LD1.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the COVEAT study indicate that each lockdown period had a different impact on children's/adolescents' and their parents' dietary behavior, with less favorable changes observed in LD2, suggesting that the implementation of additional lockdowns may have had a negative impact on individuals' lifestyles.