The Impact of Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: The Lived Experience of Adolescents with Obesity and Their Caregivers

Abstract

Adolescence is a complex developmental phase, made more complex by obesity and the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature related to the impact of social isolation on obesity self-management in adolescents is scant and inconsistent. This paper describes the phenomenon from the perspectives of a sample of adolescents with obesity enrolled in an inpatients’ multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for weight-loss and their caregivers, and its impact on different life domains. Individual semi-structured ad hoc interviews were conducted with 10 adolescent-caregiver dyads, and narratives were qualitatively investigated using an interpretative phenomenology approach to data. Twenty participants took part in the study. The major themes that emerged from this study fall into five basic categories: (1) COVID-19 as an opportunity to reconsider what makes a good life; (2) Persistence in life; (3) Empowering relationship; (4) Daily routine in quarantine; (5) Lives on hold. Understandings drawn from this study may assist health care professionals in providing holistic support, and guidance to adolescents with weight-related issues and their caregivers who experience social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACTyourCHANGE in Teens Study Protocol: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention for Adolescents with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The trial will be conducted within the context of a three-week in-hospital multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for weight loss based on nutritional, physical, and psychological rehabilitation [ 50 , 51 , 52 ], according to the Italian National Health System recommendations. As part of the nutritional program, adolescents will be assessed by a staff dietician and placed on an individualized hypocaloric diet composed of 53% carbohydrates, 26% fat, and 21% protein [ 53 ] and a fluid intake of at least 1500 mL per day −1 .…”

From Fear to Hopelessness: The Buffering Effect of Patient-Centered Communication in a Sample of Oncological Patients during COVID-19

“…In line with previous research [8,44,80], due to the impossibility of using routinely paper-and-pencil assessment questionnaires, an ad hoc structured interview was created for this study and administered to oncological outpatients. The use of a structured interview was deemed appropriate to allow the investigation of the patients' thoughts, emotions, and psychological issues using standardized methodological procedures [8].…”

“…In line with previous studies [80], the pool of items of the structured interview was developed using a two-step procedure [46,[81][82][83][84].…”

Changes in Alienation in Physical Education Classes, School Happiness, and Future Healthy Life Expectancy After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korean Adolescents

“…This shows that social health has a positive impact on adolescents, even during the pandemic. Although many studies argued that adolescents' physical and mental health is at risk [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22], we observed that online and in-person hybrid PE classes promote adolescents' social healthy by lowering alienation in PE and boosting school happiness and future healthy life expectancy. To ensure adolescents' social health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim's (2005) [30] strategies to resolve the issue of alienation in PE should be utilized.…”

“…Furthermore, studies also note that adolescents have experienced a decline in their physical health. COVID-19 led to a spike in the prevalence of obesity among adolescents [16], diminished participation in physical activities [17][18], and lowered the level of physical activity involvement [19]. In addition, studies have also reported that adolescents showed a deteriorated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [20] and poorer lifestyle habits [18,21,22].…”