Health Practices, Nutrition, and Other Aspects of Lifestyles of Children Less Than 18 Years during COVID-19 Pandemic in Egypt: Role of Mothers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a public health crisis of worldwide fear which under strategies of isolation, alterations to lifestyle behaviors were typically inevitable. These included extreme changes in hygiene practices, dietary habits, and physical activity. AIM: The present study aimed to assess how mothers managed their children at home during COVID-19 lockdown as regards health practices such as, hand washing, eating behaviors, and their daily lifestyles such as physical activity, screen time, and sleep. METHODS: Mothers of children aged <18 years were enrolled in the study. Online survey was conducted through Google form May 17, 2020, to the June 01, 2020. A specific questionnaire was prepared to fulfill the objective of the study. RESULTS: Mothers of 83.6% of children succeeded in establishing a good behavior of hand washing using soap and water when their hands are visibly dirty versus 62.8% doing the same when their hands are not visibly dirty. Father’s occupation could have significant association with hand washing.  During lockdown, 74.4% of mothers stopped buying prepared foods from outside and 88% of them were keen to prepare healthy meals for their children, dietary supplements were used by 41.6% of participant mothers; meanwhile, the percentage was 38.8% by their children. Mothers succeeded in limiting screen time of their children (43.2%), and 32% of them succeeded in setting a specific time for going bed. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has brought intense changes to health behaviors of children regarding hand washing, eating habits, sleep, and physical activity.