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Changes in Student’s Breakfast and Snack Consumption during the Second COVID-19 Lockdown in Portugal: A Five-Wave Study

Author

Listed:
  • Paula Magalhães

    (School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Beatriz Pereira

    (School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Francisco Garcia

    (School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Catarina Vilas

    (School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Tânia Moreira

    (School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Pedro Rosário

    (School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

Abstract

The circumstances of the COVID-19 lockdown affected many students’ life spheres, including their feeding patterns and snack intake. The main goals of the present study were to: (a) analyze the changes in students’ breakfast and snacking consumption during lockdown, and (b) analyze changes in the content of the students’ snacks using the Healthy Eating Index. This study analyzed data from a sample of 726 students from 36 classes from the late elementary (i.e., fifth grade) through high school (i.e., twelfth grade) from two public schools in the north of Portugal. Data were collected in five moments during the 2020/2021 school year, pre-, during, and post-second lockdown moments. Throughout the five moments, almost 90% of the students ate breakfast, and the majority brought snacks from home to eat in school. Surprisingly, there was an increase in the quality of the snacks consumed during lockdown compared to the pre-lockdown moments (e.g., consumption of more whole and total fruits and less consumption of food with added sugar, saturated fats, refined grains, and fatty acids). Suggestions for healthy behavior promotion will be discussed, such as improving the school food environment and teaching children to prepare healthy lunch boxes.

Suggested Citation

  • Paula Magalhães & Beatriz Pereira & Francisco Garcia & Catarina Vilas & Tânia Moreira & Pedro Rosário, 2023. "Changes in Student’s Breakfast and Snack Consumption during the Second COVID-19 Lockdown in Portugal: A Five-Wave Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3034-:d:1062895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Armanda Pereira & Paula Magalhães & Sara Teixeira & José Carlos Núñez & Daniela Rosendo & Sandra Mesquita & Raquel Azevedo & Joana Araújo Martins & Sonia Fuentes & Pedro Rosário, 2022. "“COVID-19 in Trials and Tribulations” Project: A Self-Regulation-Based Support Response for Confined Families through Social Networks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, February.
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