Abstract
The implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures across the globe could affect adolescents' health. This review was conducted to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the health of the adolescents. We conducted this study using the scope reviews methodological framework. We searched for articles on the effects of COVID-19 lockdown among adolescents on four databases; MedLine, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals and Google Scholar. Screening of articles was done for relevance to the study objective. The positive effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on adolescents included increased physical activity for adolescents 17 years and below, increased resource mobilization for healthy lifestyle, and psychosocial support programs for schools. The negative effects of the lockdown period were decreased physical activity with resulting disruptive sleep patterns; increased screen time, behavioral addictive disorder from excessive use of the internet, increased levels of domestic abuse, and worsening of existing mental health disorders. Overall, the COVID-19 lockdown period has had considerable adverse effects on adolescents' health. To curb the negative effects of the COVID-19 lockdown, we recommend parental supervision of adolescents' screen time. Adolescent health should be prioritized by policymakers to ensure that future lockdown does not adversely affect them.
Highlights
The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected and caused many deaths globally[1]
Keywords were used in the search strategy with the use of Boolean operator ‘AND’: We selected studies that focused on the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown among adolescents or the effects of social isolation due to COVID-19 on adolescents for this review
The positive effects of the COVID-19 lockdown identified in this study were outnumbered by the negative effects
Summary
The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected and caused many deaths globally[1]. Literature on the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown have reported mental, physical, and emotional health implications among the young and old[8,9,10]. In relation to the internet gaming disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental sciences-V (DSM-5) and International classification of Diseases-11 (ICD-11), physical inactivity predisposes to frequent binge eating and obesity[10,12]. These are likely implications of the COVID-19 lockdown. The WHO recommends rapid reviews in the development of guidelines for public guidance in dealing with COVID-1913 This is essential to provide up-to-date information regarding the infection, its effects, and coping strategies. We undertook a scope review on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adolescents’ health
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