The corona measures have had a negative impact on the lifestyle of children in recent months. Some of the children who often had to stay at home due to the measures and the closure of schools and sports clubs have gained weight, started eating more unhealthy snacks and exercising less. This has been shown by research by paediatricians at Maastricht UMC +, in collaboration with other Dutch hospitals, the Maastricht hospital reports.
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On March 16, 2020, the schools closed due to the outbreak of the corona virus. Sports clubs also had to close their doors. These institutions are now open again, but in the intervening period, the daily schedule of children suddenly looked very different. For the Maastricht researchers at that time it was the signal to investigate the influence of the measures on the lifestyle behavior of children.
Questionnaires and exercise meter
189 children (and their parents) received questionnaires about their lifestyle pattern. Some of the children also had access to a ‘smart’ exercise meter. The questionnaires were completed at various times during the corona crisis. Among other things, they looked at diet, physical activity, weight development, sleeping behavior and whether children use online opportunities to exercise more. The overall conclusion is that the lifestyle has deteriorated in a large proportion of the children.
More unhealthy snacks
One in three children started eating more unhealthy snacks during the lockdown. In addition, 75 percent of the youngsters started to exercise less, an average of 51 minutes less per day than at the same time last year. Where last year 64 percent of the children still achieved the physical activity standard (of one hour of moderately intensive exercise per day), this was only 20 percent during the lockdown. In addition, one in five children indicates that they have gained weight. This percentage is even higher among children who were already overweight: 40 percent.
Decision-making in second corona wave
According to pediatrician Anita Vreugdenhil, vigilance is required. “Being overweight at a young age has negative consequences for health, such as an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and fatty liver. Our findings therefore not only play an important role in decision-making in a possible second wave, but also emphasize that there is work to be done to adjust the lifestyle now that we can reach them better again, ”says Vreugdenhil.
By: Nationale Zorggids
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