Impact of decreased physical activity due to COVID restrictions on cardio-metabolic risk parameters in Indian children and youth with type 1 diabetes.

Background And Aims: Implementation of COVID restrictions following lockdown led to changes in routines of subjects with type 1 diabetes due to closure of schools and outdoor activities. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of decreased physical activity due to COVID restrictions on cardio-metabolic risk parameters (waist circumference, laboratory and body composition parameters) in Indian children and youth with T1D.

Methods: This observational study included 312 participants (2-21 years) with T1DM having disease duration of ≥6 months. Demographic, anthropometric, body composition data and investigations were recorded at two time points (during COVID restrictions when children came for follow up, pre COVID restriction data from medical and electronic records).

Results: Glycemic control improved during COVID restrictions (Hba1c: 9.8 ± 2.0%) as compared to pre COVID restrictions (Hba1C: 10.0 ± 1.9%) (p < 0.05). However, due to significant reduction in physical activity (p < 0.05) there was significant increase in waist circumference z-scores (-0.9 ± 1.1 vs -1.6 ± 1.1), body fat percentage z-scores (-0.2 ± 1.0 vs -0.3 ± 0.9) and lipid parameters like cholesterol, low density lipid cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (p < 0.05) without any significant change in body mass index z-scores (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Prolonged COVID restrictions, although led to modest improvement in glycemic control, there was worsening of cardio-metabolic risk factors or indices of adiposity like waist circumference, body fat percentage and lipid parameters which could be attributed to decreased time spent in physical activity.