<![CDATA[ABSTRACT The Covid-19 Pandemic has had an unpredictable impact in society, including changing the lifestyle of children under five years old such as eating habit and physical activity that may consequence on their health, growth, and development. Therefore this study explores their lifestyles and the reasons of their lifestyle during pandemic. This was a qualitative study in Bogor Tengah sub-district, of West Java, Indonesia on October 2021. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted in 12 mothers and 1 care giver of child under five years old whom recruited purposively and divided into four discussion groups. The discussion took place in the UPF-IPS institution in Bogor. Each group was led by two researchers. The discussion duration was 45 to 60 minutes, recorded and transcribed. To validate FGD’s information, in-depth interviews were done in some family members who are close to the children. All information was analyzed thematically. This study shows that most participants had a low social economic status. Social distancing and locked down policies, caused children have more recreational screen time, sleeping. Job lost or less income during pandemic change in food purchases, causing children eating more energy dense and low protein quality food. In long periods, it may badly affect children’s growth, development and health. Thus, it is recommended to create some online or offline fun games based on physical movement in small rooms, also creating a standard menu that fulfills children’s protein requirements as well as taking essential amino acid or protein supplements besides multivitamin and mineral supplements. Keywords: children, food consumption, sedentary activity, screen time ABSTRAK Pandemi Covid-19 memberikan dampak yang tidak dapat di prediksi di komunitas, termasuk perubahan gaya hidup balita yang dimungkinkan berkuensikuensi terhadap kesehatan, pertumbuhan, dan perkembangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengeksplorasi gaya hidup balita serta yang melatarbelakangi gaya hidup tersebut disaat pandemi. Penelitian kualitatif ini dilakukan di Kecamatan Bogor Tengah, Jawa Barat, Indonesia pada bulan Oktober 2021. Diskusi kelompok terarah dilakukan pada 12 ibu dan 1 pengasuh balita yang ditentukan secara purposive dan dibagi menjadi 4 kelompok diskusi, setiap kelompok dipimpin oleh dua peneliti, dengan durasi 45-60 menit yang direkam menggunakan recorder dan transkripsi. Diskusi meliputi gaya hidup balita sebelum dan saat pandemi serta yang melatarbelakangi terjadi perubahan gaya hidup tersebut. Validasi informasi dilakukan dengan wawancara mendalam terhadap anggota keluarga dari beberapa keluarga balita. Semua informasi dianalisis secara tematik. Hasil memperlihatkan bahwa kebanyakan peserta berada pada status sosial ekonomi rendah. Kebijakan PPKM dan jaga jarak sosial menyebabkan balita lebih banyak melakukan recreational screen time serta tidur. Kehilangan pekerjaan atau penghasilan yang menurun selama pandemi menyebabkan perubahan pembelian jenis pangan terutama pangan dengan kandungan tinggi protein, sehingga balita banyak menonsumsi makanan energy dense (energi tinggi) dan kualitas protein rendah.. Bila keadaan tersebut berlangsung lama, akan mempengaruhi pertumbuhan dan perkembangan balita. Dianjurkan untuk menciptakan permainan berdasarkan gerak tubuh yang menyenangkan secara online atau offline yang dapat dilakukan pada saat pandemi. Diperlukan menu standar untuk mencukupi kuantitas dan kualitas protein atau meminum supleman asam amino esensial (protein) selain suplemen multivitamin dan mineral. Kata kunci: balita, konsumsi makanan, aktivitas sedentary, screen time]]>
