A recent study has identified the link between physical activity and eating habits. A report by Italian researchers found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity declined significantly. The researchers found that mandated restrictions and social distancing reduced regular physical activity. Furthermore, there was an increase in meals consumed. Although the correlation between physical activity and healthy eating habits is not clear, the authors suggest that the association between physical activity and eating habits can be improved with more research.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on fruit consumption
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted food distribution around the world. The global lockdown on food distribution has affected the consumption of fruits and vegetables. According to an international survey, dietary changes were affected more by personal preferences than specific COVID-19 restrictions. While some participants reported increases in vegetable consumption, others reported decreases. In both cases, they reported switching from fresh to frozen or canned vegetables. While these changes affect overall fruit and vegetable consumption, individual factors became more pronounced.
The Global Food Security Organization (WFP) has declared the COVID-19 pandemic a worldwide emergency. As a result, countries around the world have implemented travel and contact restrictions, curfews, and store closures to combat the epidemic. These measures have negatively affected many households and their purchasing power. However, the looming threat of COVID-19’s resurgence is still a factor to be considered.
Effects of physical activity on healthy eating habits among Moroccan adolescents
In the present study, we explored the lifestyle and dietary habits of adolescents in southern Morocco during the COVID-19 epidemic. Due to the confinement caused by the epidemic, adolescents engaged in low-intensity physical activity, leading to boredom and stress. The study showed that optimal nutrition improves both physical and mental health. It is important to identify the dietary habits of adolescents in order to promote healthy lifestyles and develop responses to the pandemic.
Results revealed that male adolescents had higher physical activity levels than did females during a typical week. However, female adolescents spent more time participating in moderate- intensity physical activity. In addition, male adolescents were more likely to engage in sport activities outside of school, while females tended to practice sport at school. However, a large proportion of adolescents reported being sedentary, spending more time in front of television and using computers. The study recommends that reducing the sedentary time of adolescents during school hours could lead to improved health outcomes.
Evidence-based guidelines for establishing healthy eating and physical activity policies in schools
Schools can play an important role in improving dietary habits among children. By establishing policies that encourage healthy eating and regular physical activity, schools can provide an environment that fosters healthy habits and teach students about nutrition and physical activity. The CDC synthesized the latest research and best practices on physical activity and healthy eating to develop Evidence-Based Guidelines for establishing healthy eating and physical activity policies in schools.
The CDC has developed evidence-based guidelines for establishing healthy eating and active- living policies in schools, based on its own research. The guidelines provide a framework for healthy eating and physical activity policies, as well as training and technical assistance to schools. These guidelines also address topics such as bullying prevention and measuring school climate. Hence, schools should use the guidelines to set up their own policies.
Assessing school-based policies
As the primary sites of health promotion and nutrition education, schools are a critical place to begin addressing the issues of sedentary behavior and promoting physical activity.
Unfortunately, schools often overlook the social, behavioral, and environmental context that can influence health outcomes. To assess the effectiveness of school-based policies on physical activity and eating habits, researchers developed a tool, the HSPAN-ET. The tool includes 27 Area of Interest items related to Physical Activity and Nutrition, the Policy Environment, and the Situational Environment. The assessment tool is a team effort with two auditors conducting simultaneous assessments to ensure that each student receives the best possible information about their environment.
Research evidence supporting the use of policies and programs to improve children’s physical activity is crucial for making informed decisions about the best ways to increase the level of physical activity and eating habits in schools. There are many different types of evidence to support the effectiveness of school-based physical activity policies, and a multi-component approach can be effective in a long-term fashion. To make informed decisions about how to choose the best physical activity policy, researchers evaluate each research finding against the criteria outlined in the L.E.A.D. framework.
