Effect of lockdown on children during COVID-19 pandemic–A cross-sectional study

Authors : Bishnupriya Sahoo, Mohit Varshney, Ruparna Khurana, Guresh Kumar, Himani Dhingra, Richa , Daksh Yadav, Jasleen Kaur, Satyakiran Kapur, Pankaj Abrol

DOI : 10.18231/j.pjms.2022.030

Volume : 12

Issue : 1

Year : 2022

Page No : 156-163

Background and Aim: COVID-19 infection and the pandemic have crippled the global life. Direct effects of infection and its severity among children were yet to define, but its indirect effects and associated consequences were significant but largely unknown. Aim of the current study was to address the impact of lockdown on food attitude, physical activity, sleep pattern, functionality and anxiety level among children of 6-18 years age.
Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted by the help of web based performa circulated to the parents as survey. It was a predesigned structured questionnaire based upon the published study in relation to sleep, food habit, anxiety, physical activity and overall wellbeing.
Result: Total 206 children were enrolled, with mean age of 11.54 ± 4.2 years. They grouped as those below 10yrs and 10 or above and the body weight as normal against overweight or obese. 70% of children were 10 or more and 20% being overweight or obese. The bad eating habits [AFHC, OR], poor physical activity [UKPAQ, OR] and severe anxiety [GAD-7, OR] is significantly affected among the overweight or obese group (p<0> Conclusion: Presumption of less vulnerability of children to COVID-19 needs a revision. During lockdown the poor physical activity, higher anxiety, and unhealthy diet pattern were significantly observed. Its emphasized to develop and adopt holistic approaches to guide our young generation during this uncertain COVID-19 pandemic or similar situations in future.
 

Keywords: Lockdown, COVID­19, Pandemic, Child Behaviour Food habit, Physical activity


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