Investigating the Relationship between the Level of Physical Activity, Dietary Intake, and Body Mass Index with the Quality of Life of People with Down Syndrome during the Epidemic of COVID-19

Considering the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic on the level of physical activity, food patterns, and quality of life (QOL) of people in the community, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between the level of physical activity, dietary intake, and body mass index (BMI) with the QOL of people with Down syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2021. 384 girls and boys with Down syndrome (mean age 12.07 ± 3.48 years and 12.28 ± 3.03 years, respectively) were selected by available and targeted sampling method. The research tools included physical activity questionnaire for older children (PAQ-C) and physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A), food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36), which were completed by the parents of the samples. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics methods (Spearman correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test) in SPSS software.

The average score of physical activity level for boys and girls was 2.62 ± 0.93 and 2.53 ± 0.95, respectively, which indicates the unfavorable level of physical activity in these people. In the dimension of QOL and based on the eight subscales, it was determined that there was no difference between the dimensions of QOL in girls and boys. Besides, there was no significant relationship between the amount of physical activity of girls and boys with QOL dimensions. Findings related to consumption of macronutrients and QOL dimensions showed that in girls and boys, there was a relationship between protein and fat consumption and physical pain, although this relationship was weak (P < 0.05). Moreover, in girls and boys, a negative relationship was observed between carbohydrate and fat consumption with vitality, physical performance, and physical limitation (P < 0.05). According to the results, it was found that in boys and girls, there was a negative and significant relationship between BMI and vitality, physical performance, and physical limitation (P < 0.05). However, in boys, a significant negative relationship between BMI and mental problems was also observed. This means that by reducing the BMI of girls and boys, the aspects of QOL in them improved (P < 0.05).

The reduction in the intake of carbohydrates and fat macronutrients in girls and boys leads to changes in some aspects of the QOL (increasing vitality, improving physical performance, and reducing physical limitations) due to the epidemic of the COVID-19. It can also be expected that by reducing the BMI, improvement in indicators of vitality, physical performance, and reduction of physical limitations will be achieved.