FOOD IN PANDEMIC TIMES AND EFFECTS ON CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH HEALTH

Abstract

Introduction: Brazil adopted health measures to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and slow down the growth of cases, such as the interruption of school activities and prolonged stay at home, abruptly changing the routine of children and adolescents. Objective: to evaluate changes in the eating behavior of children and adolescents during the period of social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out with students from a private school in the Recôncavo da Bahia. Data were collected through an online questionnaire on Google Forms, with the students' parents/guardians. Socioeconomic, lifestyle, clinical, anthropometric and dietary variables were surveyed. Measures of central tendency (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation) were calculated for continuous variables and frequencies were verified for discrete variables. Results: The sample consisted of 32 students, family income of up to the minimum wage (28.12%) and 1 to 3 minimum wages (46.87%) were predominant. Practice of physical activity prior to the pandemic (81.25%) of the sample, whereas during the pandemic sedentary lifestyle was 46.87% and increased exposure to screens was present in 90.62% of the target audience. The absence of obesity and comorbidities in 40.62% of the sample. On the other hand, obesity (18.75%), high cholesterol (9.37%) and other comorbidities (6.25%). Body modification was reported by 56.25% and change in food consumption by 75% of respondents. Changes in the type of food consumed occurred in 81.25% of the sample, highlighting the increase in the consumption of snacks (68.75%). Conclusion: Some changes were identified in the pattern of physical activity, health and food consumption in the evaluated sample, indicating the effect of the pandemic on the quality of life and health of children and adolescents.