Modificações no consumo alimentar, na atividade física e comportamento sedentário em crianças em idade escolar no período de isolamento social da pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract

Social isolation was used as a tactic to slow the spread of severe respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus type 2 (SARS -CoV-2) in several countries around the world, including Brazil. As a result, schools were closed and children's schedules were changed, which had an impact on diet, sedentary behavior and physical activity. The aim of the study is to analyze changes in diet, sedentary behavior and physical activity among school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative-qualitative methodology was carried out with 120 fathers, mothers or other guardians of children aged 5 to 10 years enrolled in five full-time schools in Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative-qualitative methodology was carried out with 120 fathers, mothers or other guardians of children aged 5 to 10 years enrolled in five full-time schools in Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil. To achieve the research objective, two interviews were carried out between May 27 and June 5, addressing topics such as sedentary behavior, physical activity and food before and during social isolation. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in routine and sleep time (10% increase), screen time (36% increase) before vs during the COVID-19 pandemic, on weekdays and weekends, which involves sedentary behavior. It was also observed a reduction in the practice of physical activity (54%) and worsening in food (66.7%). Therefore, the results point to COVID-19 pandemic behaviors that can be harmful to children's health, and schools can be a key social environment for protection against exposure to such behaviors.