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Review
. 2022 Feb 4;48(1):22.
doi: 10.1186/s13052-022-01211-y.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle behaviors in children and adolescents: an international overview

S Scapaticci  1 , C R Neri  1 , G L Marseglia  2 , A Staiano  3 , F Chiarelli  4 , E Verduci  5
Affiliations
Review

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle behaviors in children and adolescents: an international overview

S Scapaticci et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Abstract

The adverse effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are not limited to the related infectious disease. In children and adolescents, serious risks due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are also related to its indirect effects. These include an unbalanced diet with an increased risk of weight excess or nutritional deficiencies, increased sedentary lifestyle, lack of schooling, social isolation, and impaired mental health.Pediatricians should be aware of the side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's diet, physical mental health and advise the families according to their nutritional needs and financial resources. Moreover, the lack of a targeted therapy able to offer protection against the deleterious effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection should require a greater effort by scientific societies to find a more effective prevention strategy. In this context, much interest should be given to nutritional support, able to contrast malnutrition and to stimulate the immune system.

Keywords: COVID-19 and children; COVID-19 and lifestyle; COVID-19 and nutrition; SARS-CoV-2 infection and children.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on children and adolescents. During the actual pandemic the pediatric population has been involved in severe negative changes in diet, sleep quality and lifestyle behaviors resulting in a greater rate of sedentarity and mental disturbances. Therefore to contain the spread of Covibesity it is recommended to increase physical activities, have a balanced diet and simoultaneously, take into account the possibility of a psycological support
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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