Eating behaviour, physical activity and lifestyle of Italian children during lockdown for COVID-19

Abstract

In March 2020 Italy went into lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic and children changed rapidly their lifestyles with possible negative effects on their health status. An online survey collected data on eating habits, physical activity, perception/behaviour of 1027 Italian 2–11 years children during lockdown. The chi-square test was applied to test differences in proportions. Results showed a tendency of eating behaviour to worsen as children age and by areas. Only 32.3% of the children had high adherence to Mediterranean Diet, with better scores in 2–5 years children. 78.1% of the children stopped their habitual physical activity, with higher percentage among 6–11 and in Northern children; only 51.8% maintained some activities at home, playing mainly movement games/sports. Children spent more time on devices, missed school and friends, being more bored and less creative. This framework highlights the growing need for strategies to preserve children’s health in this and future pandemics.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• children
• eating behaviour
• physical activity
• lifestyle

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the parents who participated in the survey and all those who contributed to the dissemination of the online questionnaire, in spite of the difficult time caused by COVID-19.

Disclosure statement

The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organisation regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.