Changes of Physical Activity and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Adolescents from Different Countries during Covid-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study

Abstract

Aim: to describe physical activity and ultra-processed foods consumption, their changes and sociodemographic predictors among adolescents from countries in Europe (Italy and Spain) and Latin America (Brazil, Chile, and Colombia) during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic period. Methods: Cross-sectional study via web survey. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and weekly ultra-processed food consumption data were used. To compare the frequencies of physical activity status with sociodemographic variables, a multinomial logistic and a multiple logistic regression for habitual ultra-processed foods was performed. In final models, p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sample of 726 adolescents, mostly females (59.6%) aged 16–19 years old (54.3%). Adolescents from Latin America presented odds ratio (OR) 2.98 (CI 95% 1.80–4.94) of being inactive and those whose mothers had higher level of education were less active during lockdown [OR 0.40 (CI 95% 0.20–0.84)]. The habitual ultra-processed consumption was also high during this period in all countries, and more prevalent in Latin America. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of inactivity was observed in this population, but reductions of physical activity and habitual ultra-processed consumption during the pandemic were more pronounced in Latin America. Our findings reinforce the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle, i.e., exercise and diet, during periods of social isolation.

Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a systematic review

“…Of the five studies that measured changes in SB in children and adolescents, three studies 42 62 65 used non-validated questionaries and the remaining two studies 71 82 used validated questionaries. Time spent in SB was reported in 3/5 studies, with the remaining two studies reporting changes in SB as a percentage of their respective populations.…”

Patterns of Change in Dietary Habits and Physical Activity during Lockdown in Spain Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Studies carried out in different countries have reported changes in eating habits associated with lockdown regardless of the degree of restrictions imposed. A number of those studies report greater consumption of comfort foods with a high sugar content, such as chocolate and salty snacks [ 35 ], which participants attributed to the state of increased anxiety [ 10 ]. In this study, we identified an Unhealthy snack foods and beverage pattern of change in eating habits that reflects this trend.…”

“…On the other hand, studies report increased sedentary lifestyle, screen time, and decreased exposure to sunlight as health-related behaviors modified during lockdown in different countries [ 12 , 16 , 17 , 35 , 36 ]. Other research described an increase in inactivity during lockdown among children [ 12 , 33 ] and adolescents [ 35 ] associated with a higher educational level of mothers.…”

Obesity and COVID‐19 in Latin America: A tragedy of two pandemics—Official document of the Latin American Federation of Obesity Societies

“…During the pandemic, disruptions in food supply chains and panic buying (due to lockdown fears) may have limited access to fresh foods, tilting the balance towards a greater consumption of ultraprocessed foods and other foods with long shelf lives, which are usually high in salt, sugar and saturated fat. Two Brazilian studies found this to be more evident in less economically developed regions and in those with less education 25,26 A web survey found that the increase in ultraprocessed food consumption during the pandemic was more pronounced in LA (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile) than in Europe 27 . In a Chilean survey, the increase in fried food consumption was positively associated with weight gain during confinement 28 …”