Analysis Of Physical Activity Levels And Adherence To The Mediterranean Diet In Spanish Children And Adolescents During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During the health crisis in Spain caused by the SARS-COVID19 pandemic, the activities that children and adolescents could usually engage in were disrupted, resulting in a decline in physical activity and dietary habits. The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of healthy physical activity and dietary habits among school-aged population in Spain during the school years affected by the pandemic and its restrictive measures. A longitudinal descriptive study was conducted with 1016 participants (8-14 years old) over 4 school years, using the PAQ-C questionnaire for physical activity and the KIDMED questionnaire to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The results revealed a decrease in physical activity during the period with the strictest restrictions, which was not the case for healthy dietary habits, where adherence to the Mediterranean diet improved significantly year after year during the analyzed period. This study demonstrated a greater impact of confinement on the physical activity of children compared to another research. Regarding the Mediterranean diet, an increase was observed, likely due to family eating habits and awareness campaigns promoting healthy habits.