Coronavirus: Research shows impact of Covid on sleeping and eating habit of NI children

The study, carried out by safefood, the public body responsible for raising consumer awareness of issues relating to food safety and healthy eating, found that over half of children (59%) were eating more unhealthy treat foods, getting less exercise (59%), and engaging in more screen time (72%).

The research found that over two-thirds of parents (68%) admitted struggling to manage their children’s sleeping habits during the pandemic, with 52% of kids going to bed later at night and 43% waking later in the morning.

Parents reported finding it a struggle to manage their children’s healthy habits while being out of school, the research said.

Over two-thirds (65%) admitted it has been a challenge to control their children’s treat foods consumption; 62% said it’s difficult to get their children to exercise regularly, and 62% saying it is constant battle to manage their kids’ screen time.

In addition, the study showed that almost three-quarters of parents (71%) are concerned about getting their children back into a healthy routine for schools reopening.

The research coincides with the latest phase of the START campaign, a five-year public health awareness campaign from safefood, the Department of Health and the Public Health Agency.

The campaign is encouraging parents to get bedtime back on track as the key to starting their children on the way to a healthier lifestyle for their return to school.

Dr Marian O’Reilly, Chief Specialist in Nutrition at safefood said: “Sleep plays a fundamental role in the health and wellbeing of children. Research shows that not getting enough sleep impacts on children’s health in many ways including increased risk of excess body weight.”

To find out more about the START campaign visit www.makeastart.org.