Association between eating habits, physical activity and nutritional status in schools during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the association between eating habits, physical activity and nutrition during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional and approved study with adolescents enrolled in elementary school II. In view of the pandemic, data collection was carried out in virtual format through Google forms. Questions related to sociodemographic profile, eating habits, physical activity and nutritional status were collected. Pearson's chi-square test was used for data analysis, considering p ≤0.05 as significant. The sample consisted of 287 students, of which 60.3% (n=173) are female. The intake of beans was shown to be a nutritional % in 07.03 students, with significant differences between the state=0.033. Low consumption of vegetables and fruits was present in 67.2% and 84.3% of students, respectively. Being an age group of 11 to 13 years associated with fruit consumption (p=0.054). As for non-food, the intake of sweets (69.0%) and soft drinks are recommended, and 54.4% of the students recommend snacks in an adequate assessment. There were significant differences between the age groups (p=0.55) with the consumption of snacks and between the practice of physical activity with the ingestion of soft drinks (p=0.027). It is concluded that social isolation affects the quality of adolescents' diet, showing a low habitual frequency of consumption of vegetables and fruits, and a high frequency of consumption of sweets, snacks, and soft drinks. Being the students from 11 to 13 years old and who practice insufficient physical activity, associated with the consumption of non-human foods.