Background The social isolation enforced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may impact families’ lifestyle and eating habits. Restrictions on daily activities increase the screen time and influence sedentary behaviors, which affect sleep quality and maximize exposure to unhealthy food marketing, such as ultra processed foods (UPF). The excessive intake of UPF and the low consumption of in natura or minimally-processed foods have been associated with unfavorable health outcomes in different age groups, including children and adolescents.
Objective The aim of this study is to assess the behavior and dietary patterns of Brazilian children and adolescents during the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods The research was conducted using an online, anonymous cross-sectional survey with 589 children and 720 adolescents from Brazil during a social isolation policy. The Mann–Whitney U test or the Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn post-hoc method and a radar chart were used to compare the weekly consumption of each food by age group and isolation status. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05, and analyses were conducted using R statistical software.
Results The results show that breakfast was significantly more regular among isolated families and they also consumed more raw salad (p = 0.039), vegetables (p <0.001), beans (p = 0.025), fresh fruits and fruit juices (p = 0.002). Lower-class isolated families consumed fruits, juices, vegetables and beans less frequently. Approximately 1/3 of individuals replaced large meals with snacks, especially adolescents. When compared to children, adolescents were more physically inactive (p = 0.02), exposed to longer screen time (p >< 0.001) and showed a more inadequate sleeping pattern (p = 0.002).
Conclusion Social isolation affects the eating habits of children and adolescents. Non Isolated families present lower consumption of healthy food, especially those among the lower class and adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Food habits; Socioeconomic indicators; Lifestyle
