Physical health changes associated with COVID-19-related school closure among schoolchildren: A descriptive cross-sectional study

N. Santosh Kumar; Machiraju Murali; T Baswaraj

doi:10.51168/xt9dpr74

Authors

Dr. N. Santosh Kumar Senior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Neelima Institute of Medical Sciences, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Dr. Machiraju Vasudeva Murali Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatrics, Princess Durru Shehvar Children’s and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Dr. Baswaraj T Head of the Department, Department of Paediatrics, Princess Durru Shehvar Children’s and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/xt9dpr74

Keywords:

Coronavirus Disease 2019, school closure, Schoolchildren, Physical activity, Screen time, Body mass index, Childhood obesity

Abstract

Background
COVID-19-related school closures disrupted structured physical activity, dietary routines, outdoor play, and school-based health surveillance while substantially increasing dependence on digital learning. Indian school data evaluating concurrent changes in screen exposure, body mass index (BMI), dietary behaviour, physical activity, and clinical nutritional findings remain limited.

Objectives: To assess physical-health changes associated with COVID-19-related school closure among children aged 6-12 years, focusing on BMI, screen time, physical activity, dietary habits, clinical pallor suggestive of anaemia, and visible signs suggestive of vitamin deficiency.

Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study, with retrospective comparison of pre-lockdown school health records, was conducted from June 2022 to April 2023 in three schools in Hyderabad, India. Children with accessible pre-lockdown anthropometric records were enrolled by convenience sampling after written parental consent. Current anthropometry and clinical findings were recorded, and parents reported changes in diet, activity, and screen exposure.

Results
A total of 640 children were analysed; the mean age was 9.02 ± 1.69 years, and 373 (58.3%) were boys. Meal frequency increased in 389 (60.8%), and all parents perceived reduced physical activity. Mean total screen time increased from 1.89 ± 0.98 to 10.60 ± 2.40 hours/day (reported p<0.0001). Mean BMI increased from 15.45 ± 1.41 to 18.02 ± 2.44 kg/m² (reported p<0.0001). Overweight or obesity increased from 56 (8.75%) before lockdown to 117 (18.28%) at assessment. Clinical pallor was present in 198 (30.9%); no visible signs suggestive of vitamin deficiency were documented.

Conclusion
The school-closure period was associated with pronounced increases in sedentary behaviour, screen time, meal frequency, and excess-weight prevalence.

Recommendations
School-health recovery programmes should restore structured physical activity, provide age-appropriate screen-use counselling, strengthen nutritional assessment, and arrange haemoglobin testing for children with pallor.

Author Biographies

Dr. N. Santosh Kumar, Senior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Neelima Institute of Medical Sciences, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

is a Senior Resident in the Department of Paediatrics at Neelima Institute of Medical Sciences, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. His academic and clinical interests include general paediatrics, neonatal care, childhood infections, growth and development, and evidence-based management of paediatric disorders. He is actively involved in patient care, undergraduate teaching, and clinical research.
Dr. Machiraju Vasudeva Murali, Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatrics, Princess Durru Shehvar Children’s and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

is a Senior Consultant in the Department of Paediatrics at Princess Durru Shehvar Children’s and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He has extensive clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of paediatric and neonatal conditions. His professional interests include acute paediatric care, infectious diseases, nutrition, and improving clinical outcomes among children.
Dr. Baswaraj T, Head of the Department, Department of Paediatrics, Princess Durru Shehvar Children’s and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

is the Head of the Department of Paediatrics at Princess Durru Shehvar Children’s and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He has broad experience in paediatric clinical practice, departmental administration, medical education, and research supervision. His areas of interest include comprehensive child healthcare, neonatal medicine, paediatric infections, nutrition, and the development of evidence-based clinical practices.

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