Relationship between Lifestyle during the Coronavirus Disease ۲۰۱۹ Pandemic and Functional Constipation in Elementary School Children

Constipation is a prevalent issue among children and adolescents worldwide. The coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۲۰۱۹) pandemic necessitated adaptations in daily life routines, which consequently affected the nutrition and health of children. Prior research has primarily focused on adults, and this study sought to explore how lifestyle changes during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic specifically impacted the risk of children developing functional constipation. An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted from August ۲۰۲۳ to January ۲۰۲۴. The study population comprised students in grades IV–VI from seven randomly selected elementary schools in Surabaya. Data were obtained based on questionnaires distributed to students and anthropometric examinations. Constipation was defined according to The Rome IV criteria. Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire-Children (PAQ-C) questionnaire. Diets and screen time were assessed using a questionnaire. ۹۴۴ Students were included in this study, ۵۳.۴% of students were diagnosed with constipation. Variables significantly associated with constipation (P < ۰.۰۵) were sex, previous COVID-۱۹ infection, screen time, and unhealthy eating habits. Multivariate regression identified screen time (P = ۰.۰۰۰۱, odds ratio [OR] of ۱.۴۹۷, ۹۵% confidence interval [CI] ۱.۱۴۰–۱.۹۶۶) and unhealthy eating habits (P = ۰.۰۰۰۱, OR of ۱.۶۸۶, ۹۵% CI ۱.۳۳۰–۲.۱۳۸) as risk factors for constipation. The COVID-۱۹ pandemic caused various changes in the dietary patterns and lifestyles of children, resulting in health issues, including constipation. Screen time and unhealthy eating habits were identified as risk factors for constipation in children during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، Life style ، Constipation ، physical activity