Government guidelines for relaunching early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs during the COVID-19 pandemic have required the implementation of various practices to minimize the risk of infection transmission. These directives include recommendations regarding serving and handling food, shared spaces, and physical distancing which have a direct impact on the health and development of children in care. The purpose of this study was to explore early childhood educators’ perspectives on how COVID-19 guidelines have impacted the nutrition and physical activity practices within their ECEC environment. A qualitative description approach was used to explore a purposive sample of 17 educators working full time in ECEC centres during the pandemic between July and August 2020. Semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using a thematic analysis. Educators identified environmental changes in their environments noting a reduction in the quality food available for children juxtaposed with increased outdoor opportunities and a perceived increase in physical activity time. Teaching practices were also identified as being impacted by the COVID-19 guidelines. Curriculum, life skills, and social connectedness around healthy eating education was disrupted. Promoting physical activity education was challenged due to equipment, space, and curriculum enrichment opportunities losses. These findings demonstrate pronounced negative effects of COVID guidelines on nutrition and physical activity best practices within the ECEC environment. There is a need to support educators in maintaining healthy and active environments for preschoolers while following guidelines to minimize the risk of COVID infection transmission.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) environments influence children’s early development and habits that track across a lifespan. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 government-mandated guidelines on physical activity (PA) and eating environments in ECEC settings. This cross-sectional study involved the recruitment of 19 ECEC centers pre-COVID (2019) and 15 ECEC centers during COVID (2020) in Alberta, Canada (n = 34 ECEC centers; n = 83 educators; n = 361 preschoolers). Educators completed the CHEERS (Creating Healthy Eating and activity Environments Survey) and MEQ (Mindful Eating Questionnaire) self-audit tools while GT3X+ ActiGraph accelerometers measured preschooler PA. The CHEERS healthy eating environment subscale was greater during COVID-19 (5.97 ± 0.52; 5.80 ± 0.62; p = 0.02) and the overall score positively correlated with the MEQ score (r = 0.20; p = 0.002). Preschoolers exhibited greater hourly step counts (800 ± 189; 649 ± 185), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (9.3 ± 3.0 min/h; 7.9 ± 3.2 min/h) and lower sedentary times (42.4 ± 3.9 min/h; 44.1 ± 4.9 min/h) during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID, respectively (p < 0.05). These findings suggest the eating environment and indices of child physical activity were better in 2020, which could possibly be attributed to a change in government-mandated COVID-19 guideline policy.

Background:Transport for London (TfL) Occupational Health Dept identified musculoskeletal (MSK) problems as matters of concern in train operating staff on 3 of the underground lines (JNP). These issues were contentious and the subject of continued discussion between the management of TfL, train operators, Unions and other stakeholders. The Bone and Joint Research Group (BJRG) were invited to undertake work to provide insight into the MSK health issues of train operators from a neutral perspective.Objectives:To assess the problems and issues relating to the musculoskeletal health of train operators.Methods:A steering committee was created with representatives from the train operators, the Unions, TfL managers and other stakeholders. Participants were recruited to 6 focus groups. Separate focus groups were held for operators, managers and for other stakeholders. The groups were asked to discuss the status of their own MSK health, the impact of work on their MSK health, the support they receive from their employer and others, barriers and facilitators to maintaining MSK health, the role of managers in improving MSK health in the workplace and what interventions would improve MSK health.The focus groups were recorded transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis.The findings informed a survey of JNP train operators. The survey was co-produced and endorsed by the BJRG, TfL and the Unions and circulated to train operators. The survey included questions on demographics, lifestyle, work role, posture training, MSK problems, actions taken and ideas on how MSK risks could be managed and MSK health protected and improved.Results:20% of train operators (338) completed the survey. Respondents reflected the demographic profile of the total JNP train operators. 72% reported not receiving adequate posture training. 74% experienced MSK pain, either currently or in the past. Of these 52% were currently in pain. The average number of months in pain was 59. Lower back, neck and shoulders were the most frequently reported sites of pain. 74% said the pain was caused by or worsened by work. An average of 7 days of work was lost per year due to MSK problems. 44% had not told their manager. Most respondents said their MSK health could be improved by improvements to their seating and cab ergonomics.Participants acknowledged that it is an individual’s responsibility to look after their own MSK health and suggested ways to do this. These included changing position when driving, stretching, improved posture, employing good manual handling techniques, exercising outside of work and eating healthily.Conclusions:MSK problems are a significant issue among JNP train operators and structural problems are perceived to be the main cause. Operators are aware of their own role in maintaining their MSK health both at work and at home. The study illustrates that it is possible to work effectively and collaboratively with a range of workplace stakeholders to achieve a common goal of improved MSK health. The active involvement of all stakeholders throug...