COVID-19, Obesity and Lifestyle in Children

The threat of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, from here onward
mentioned as COVID-19) and the national measures to restrict transmission of COVID-19 in the
Dutch population have caused a radical change in the daily life of Dutch citizens. Closing of
schools and public locations, even as the public order for social distancing and
self-isolation, is affecting the daily structure and lifestyle habits of Dutch children
greatly. These radical changes in the current situation could yield important information
regarding the health behaviour of children and their families. Knowledge of these changes and
their effects on the health behaviour of these children and their families could influence
future interventions and regulations regarding health behaviour. Current (preliminary)
prevalence figures show that up to 80% of patients infected with COVID-19 are overweight or
obese, indicating that being overweight or obese could be a potential adverse predisposition
in the course of a COVID-19 infection. In the light of this (and possible future) pandemic,
it is important to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health behaviour
i.e. lifestyle of children (aged between 4 and 18 years) and their families and especially
the effects on possible weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier studies
demonstrated that in particular children with overweight/obesity gain weight in situations
when schools close such as during summer holidays and also during (economic) crisis. It is of
importance to investigate the effects of the Corona-crisis in particular in these children
with a high health risk.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its measures on lifestyle
in lean children and children with overweight and obesity. It evaluates differences in
subgroups, e.a. lean/overweight children, socio-economic status, gender and age.

Study design is a mixed-methods study. Children and/or parents will receive online
questionnaires regarding lifestyle during governemantal measures due to the Covid-19
pandemic, such as closure of schools and sportclubs.

In addition, several children and parents will be interviewed about the changes in lifestyle,
and their needs for working on lifestyle, during the pandemic, for in-depth qualitative
information.