Changes in Digital Media Use and Physical Activity in German Young Adults under the Covid-19 Pandemic - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Many studies observed a reduction of physical activity (PA) and an increase in digital media use in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have been conducted in Europe or looked at changes in the association between both behaviors. Hence, this study aims at investigating the changes in digital media use/social media use and PA as well as in its association among young adults in Germany. Cross-sectional data of 884 German young adults (mean age 22.36 (±1.99), 76% female) collected via an online questionnaire between August 1 and September 30, 2020 were analyzed. Participants reported on digital media use (smartphone, television, computer, gaming console), social media use (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok) and PA (days/week of ≥30 min. PA) separately for the period of strict infection control measures in Germany (March - end of May 2020) and for normal times (before March 2020). Descriptive statistics of digital media use, social media use and PA were compared between both periods. Linear regression adjusted for sociodemographic and work-related characteristics were conducted for both periods with total media use, the various media devices and social media use, respectively, as independent and PA as dependent variables. Whereas PA did not differ between both periods, mean total digital media use increased by 1 hour during the period of strict infection control measures. Digital media use and social media use were negatively associated with PA in both time periods. Differences in these associations by sex could be found for some digital media devices. However, 60% of respondents did not comply with the WHO recommendations for PA. Under consideration of possible recall bias, young adults’ digital media use, but not PA, seemed to have changed under the strict infection control measures. However, interventions are needed to increase PA and to prevent its reduction in the course of the pandemic.

Changes in Diet, Physical Activity, Alcohol Consumption, and Tobacco Use in Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…The decrease in PA level is reported in 13 studies: Franco et al 10 showed a decrease in the proportion of people with low and medium PA in Spain, from 48.8% before to 36% during the pandemic, and similar results are reported in 12 other studies. 7,11,12,14,16,18,20,24,25,28,35,36 Fifteen studies reported a decrease in people’s time doing PA during the COVID-19 pandemic: Bertrand et al 16 reported a decrease in time spent in moderate-vigorous PA per week from 85 min before to 65 min during the pandemic; these results are similar to those reported in other 14 studies. 8,9,15,19,22,26,28-31,33,35,37,38…”

“…The characteristics of the articles are presented in Table 1. We included 28 cross-sectional studies 7,8,10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][26][27][28][29][30][31][33][34][35][36][37][38] ,4 longitudinal studies. 9,11,25,32 There is one global study, 38 and 2 or more studies covered different countries: 2 from Saudi Arabia., 7,24 5 from Spain 10,25,33,34,36 ,4 from USA 11,14,27,29 ,2 from the UK 17,32 ,3 from Italy, 20,26,37 and 2 from China.…”

Changes and correlates of screen time in adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…47 Significant associations were found between gaming (b= À0¢21; p = 0¢04), 43 and social media use (b= À0¢06; p = 0¢04), 43 but not smartphone use, 43 or PC/ computer/tablet use. 43,47 Weight gain/BMI. There were two studies, 31,57 each reporting one outcome each, regarding weight gain.…”

“…Associations between overall screen time and physical activity consistently yielded significant results (b= À0¢08; p=<0¢001; One study 30 did not report an effect size, but reported that they had a significant association). 30,43 Conflicting results were found regarding TV use and physical activity, with one study reporting significant associations (b= À0¢15; p=<0¢01), 43 and another showing no significant associations. 47 Significant associations were found between gaming (b= À0¢21; p = 0¢04), 43 and social media use (b= À0¢06; p = 0¢04), 43 but not smartphone use, 43 or PC/ computer/tablet use.…”

“…30,43 Conflicting results were found regarding TV use and physical activity, with one study reporting significant associations (b= À0¢15; p=<0¢01), 43 and another showing no significant associations. 47 Significant associations were found between gaming (b= À0¢21; p = 0¢04), 43 and social media use (b= À0¢06; p = 0¢04), 43 but not smartphone use, 43 or PC/ computer/tablet use. 43,47 Weight gain/BMI.…”