scholarly journals The Effects of COVID-19 on the Eating Habits of Children and Adolescents in Italy: A Pilot Survey Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2641
Author(s):  
Roberta Pujia ◽  
Yvelise Ferro ◽  
Samantha Maurotti ◽  
Janin Khoory ◽  
Carmine Gazzaruso ◽  
...  

Nutrition during childhood and adolescence is very important for growth and can have long-term health implications. The COVID-19 lockdown caused significant changes in everyday life, including in children and adolescents. This study evaluated the effects of the first COVID-19 lockdown on eating habits and body weight in children and adolescents. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out among the parents of children (5–9 years) and adolescents (10–14 years) living in Italy. The online self-administered questionnaire included demographic and anthropometric data (reported weight and height) weight and dietary habit changes during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy (March to June 2020). A total of 439 participants were included. We found a change in eating habits with an increase in consumption of sweet packaged snacks (34%) and processed meat (25%), as well as bread, pizza and bakery products (47%). We also found an increase in vegetable, fresh fruit and legume intake (19%), and a reduction in sweet beverage and candy intake. A total of 59.7% of the participants reported body weight gain, with adolescents gaining more than children (67% vs. 55%, p = 0.010, respectively). In children, body weight gain was associated with a change in body height and increased consumption of dairy products and sweet packaged snacks, while in adolescents it was associated with an increased intake of comfort foods and processed meat. Our data highlighted the need to carefully monitor eating behaviors to avoid the establishment of unhealthy eating habits and prevent obesity in children and adolescents during periods of self-isolation.

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (OCE1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. F. Sprake ◽  
J. Lavin ◽  
J. M. Russell ◽  
P. Grabowski ◽  
M. Barker

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (12) ◽  
pp. 2571-2582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Sprake ◽  
Jacquie Lavin ◽  
Peter Grabowski ◽  
Jean Russell ◽  
Megan Featherstone ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore factors associated with body weight gain among British university students who were members of a slimming club. Design/methodology/approach Student members of a national commercial slimming programme completed an online survey about cooking ability, weight gain, eating habits and physical activity levels. Non-parametric statistical tests and regression analysis were employed to examine factors associated with weight gain. Findings The data set comprised 272 current students. The majority of students (67 per cent) reported weight gain between 3.2 and 12.7 kg during studying in university: 20.4 per cent reported to have gained >12.7 kg. Students commonly attributed their weight gain to academic stress and nearly all identified with needing support to learn to cook on a budget. Students reporting greatest weight gain had most frequent consumption of ready meals & convenience foods, take-away & fast foods and least frequent consumption of fruits & vegetables. Weight-stable students reported lowest consumption of alcohol and were most able to cook complex meals. Students who reported greatest weight gain reported lower physical activity levels. There were inter-correlations between cooking ability and lifestyle factors. In a multivariate model, low physical activity and frequent consumption of ready meals and convenience food independently predicted weight gain. Weight gain was inversely associated with diet quality, cooking ability and physical activity with reliance on ready meals & convenience food and low physical activity particularly important. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these cross-sectional associations and to explore how the university setting may contribute to the effect. Originality/value The study adds additional perspective to understanding student weight gain at university in that it focuses on a body weight-conscious sub-group of the student population, as opposed to the general population of students.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3668
Author(s):  
Tu-Hsuan Chang ◽  
Yu-Chin Chen ◽  
Wei-Yu Chen ◽  
Chun-Yu Chen ◽  
Wei-Yun Hsu ◽  
...  

Background: Lockdown is an effective nonpharmaceutical intervention to reduce coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, but it restricts daily activity. We aimed to investigate the impact of lockdown on pediatric body weight and body mass index (BMI). Methods: The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Four online databases (EMBASE, Medline, the Cochrane Library and CINAHL) were searched. Results: The pooled results showed that lockdown was associated with significant body weight gain (MD 2.67, 95% CI 2.12–3.23; p < 0.00001). The BMI of children with comorbidities or obesity did not change significantly. The BMI of general population was significantly higher during lockdown than before the pandemic (MD 0.94, 95% CI 0.32–1.56; p = 0.003). However, heterogeneity was high (I2 = 84%). Among changes in weight classification, increases in the rates of obesity (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10–1.37; p = 0.0002) and overweight (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06–1.29; p = 0.001) were reported. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed significant increases in body weight and BMI during lockdown among school-age children and adolescents. The prevalence of obesity and overweight also increased. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the burden of childhood obesity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
Muryanto Muryanto ◽  
Pita Sudrajad ◽  
Amrih Prasetyo

The aim of the study was to determine the development of ramie plants (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) and the effect of using ramie leaves on feed on the body weight gain of Wonosobo Sheep (Dombos). Research on the development of ramie plants using survey methods in the area of ramie plant development in Wonosobo Regency. While the research on the use of ramie leaves for fattening was carried out in Butuh Village, Kalikajar District, Wonosobo Regency in 2018. 21 male Dombos were divided into 3 feed treatments with forage proportions of 70%, 50% and 30 ramie leaves respectively. %. The results showed that currently ramie plants were being developed in Wonosobo Regency by CV. Ramindo Berkah Persada Sejahtera in Gandok Village, Kalikajar District, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java. Until now the area of the crop has reached 13 ha. Of this area will produce ramie leaves 195,000 kg / year. If one sheep needs 4 kg of ramie / tail / day leaves, then the potential capacity of sheep is 135 heads / year, if the given one is 50% then the Jurnal Litbang Provinsi Jawa Tengah, Volume 16 202 Nomor 2 – Desember 2018potential capacity is 270 heads / year and if it is reduced again to 25% of ramie leaves then the potential capacity 440 heads / year. The use of ramie leaves as a feed for Wonosobo Sheep fattening can be given as much as 30% in fresh form.


2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won-Hee Choi ◽  
Ji-Yun Ahn ◽  
Sun-A Kim ◽  
Tae-Wan Kim ◽  
Tae-Youl Ha

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-147
Author(s):  
Magdy M. Ismail ◽  
El-Tahra M. Ammar ◽  
Abd El-Wahab E. Khalil ◽  
Mohamed Z. Eid

Background and Objective: Yoghurt, especially bio-yoghurt has long been recognized as a product with many health benefits for consumers. Also, honey and olive oil have considerable nutritional and health effects. So, the effect of administration of yoghurt made using ABT culture and fortified with honey (2 and 6%), olive oil (1 and 4%) or honey + olive oil (2+1 and 6+4% respectively) on some biological and hematological properties of rats was investigated.Methods:The body weight gain, serum lipid level, blood glucose level, serum creatinine level, Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT) activity, Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) activity, leukocytes and lymphocytes counts of rats were evaluated.Results:Blending of bio-yoghurt with rats&#039; diet improved body weight gain. Concentrations of Total plasma Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), Very Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and Triglycerides (TG) significantly lowered in plasma of rats fed bio-yoghurt. Levels of TC, LDL, VLDL, and TG also decreased in rat groups feed bio-yoghurt supplemented with honey and olive oil. LDL concentrations were reduced by 10.32, 18.51, 34.17, 22.48, 43.30% in plasma of rats fed classic starter yoghurt, ABT yoghurt, ABT yoghurt contained 6% honey, ABT yoghurt contained 4% olive oil and ABT yoghurt contained 6% honey + 4% olive oil respectively. The blood glucose, serum creatinine, GOT and GPT values of rats decreased while white blood cells and lymphocytes counts increased by feeding bioyoghurt contained honey and olive oil.Conclusion:The findings enhanced the multiple therapeutic effects of bio-yoghurt supplemented with honey and olive oil.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 81-82
Author(s):  
Madan Pal ◽  
Kashi Ram ◽  
Chander Pal Garhwal ◽  
Virender .

Atresia ani is a congenital defect that describes the absence of a normal anal opening. It is fatal unless a surgical correction is carried out to provide an anal opening. In female, the rectum may break through the vagina, forming a rectovaginal fistula permitting defecation via the vulva. Surgical treatment of atresia ani is indicated to save the animal’s life and to improve body weight gain. Intestinal atresia has been reported as a congenital defect in all species of domestic animals (Gass and Tibboel, 1980). Atresia ani may be caused by genetic disorders (chromosomes or transgenesis), environmental factors, or a combination of both (Cassini et al., 2005). Monsang et al. (2011) reported a case of double vulva with atresia ani in a crossbred calf. Atresia ani should be treated by a surgical operation to solve the problem, improve body weight gain, and reduce economic loss. The present report records a case of atresia ani in a crossbred cow-calf and its successful surgical correction.


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