Psychological, Nutritional and Behavioral Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross Sectional Study on Egyptian Children

Abstract

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is contemplated as the most exceptional global health crisis, becoming a vigorous, powerful destroyer of both health and economy in the 21st century. Although young children are clinically less affected by COVID-19 than adults, they are concomitantly influenced by the pandemic in many aspects. Methods This study is an attempt to investigate the negative effects of the lockdown on the psychological, nutritional, physical, as well as the behavioral aspects among Egyptian children and adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a formulated online survey among a total of 672 participant aged 6–18 years. Results During the lockdown 58.9% of the participants reported increase in their weight, 64.6% of reported decrease in their physical activity, moreover 86.9% reported increased time consumed on the computer/TV/mobile, and 54.7% reported sleeping problems. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic had a massive influence on children’s health globally, in many aspects whether medical, physical or psychological. All these intimations have to be highlighted and dealt with clearly to avoid both short/long-term sequel.