Changes of Physical Activity and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Adolescents from Different Countries during Covid-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study
Aim: to describe physical activity and ultra-processed foods consumption, their changes
and sociodemographic predictors among adolescents from countries in Europe (Italy and Spain) and
Latin America (Brazil, Chile, and Colombia) during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic period. Methods: Cross-sectional study via web survey. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and
weekly ultra-processed food consumption data were used. To compare the frequencies of physical
activity status with sociodemographic variables, a multinomial logistic and a multiple logistic
regression for habitual ultra-processed foods was performed. In final models, p < 0.05 was considered
significant. Results: Sample of 726 adolescents, mostly females (59.6%) aged 16–19 years old (54.3%).
Adolescents from Latin America presented odds ratio (OR) 2.98 (CI 95% 1.80–4.94) of being inactive
and those whose mothers had higher level of education were less active during lockdown [OR 0.40
(CI 95% 0.20–0.84)]. The habitual ultra-processed consumption was also high during this period in
all countries, and more prevalent in Latin America. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of inactivity
was observed in this population, but reductions of physical activity and habitual ultra-processed
consumption during the pandemic were more pronounced in Latin America. Our findings reinforce
the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle, i.e., exercise and diet, during periods of social isolation