Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in children living in the U.S.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 restrictions such as the closure of schools and parks, and the cancellation of youth sports and activity classes around the United States may prevent children from achieving recommended levels of physical activity (PA). This study examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on PA and sedentary behavior (SB) in U.S. children. Method: Parents and legal guardians of U.S. children (ages 5-13) were recruited through convenience sampling and completed an online survey between April 25-May 16, 2020. Measures included an assessment of their child's previous day PA and SB by indicating time spent in 11 common types of PA and 12 common types of SB for children. Parents also reported perceived changes in levels of PA and SB between the pre-COVID-19 (February 2020) and early-COVID-19 (April-May 2020) periods. Additionally, parents reported locations (e.g., home/garage, parks/ trails, gyms/fitness centers) where their children had performed PA and their children's use of remote/streaming services for PA. Results: From parent reports, children (N = 211) (53% female, 13% Hispanic, M age = 8.73 [SD = 2.58] years) represented 35 states and the District of Columbia. The most common physical activities during the early-COVID-19 period were free play/unstructured activity (e.g., running around, tag) (90% of children) and going for a walk (55% of children). Children engaged in about 90 min of school-related sitting and over 8 h of leisure-related sitting a day. Parents of older children (ages 9-13) vs. younger children (ages 5-8) perceived greater decreases in PA and greater increases in SB from the pre-to early-COVID-19 periods. Children were more likely to perform PA at home indoors or on neighborhood streets during the early-vs. pre-COVID-19 periods. About a third of children used remote/ streaming services for activity classes and lessons during the early-COVID-19 period. Conclusion: Short-term changes in PA and SB in reaction to COVID-19 may become permanently entrenched, leading to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in children. Programmatic and policy strategies should be geared towards promoting PA and reducing SB over the next 12 months.

Global effect of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep among 3- to 5-year-old children: a longitudinal study of 14 countries

“…The small changes in PA were surprising and contrary to ndings that have reported large declines in PA during the pandemic period among older children 9,15,16 . These differences may be explained methodologically.…”

“…Children spent less time outdoors on weekdays and weekend days during the pandemic. This is consistent with other studies of children and youth during the pandemic 9,15 . Time spent outdoors provides many bene ts for children and their parents including higher levels of PA 19 ; indeed, in those countries where children were able to play outdoors, higher levels of PA were reported.…”

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Sleep and Self-Regulation in Spanish Preschoolers during the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…Previously published studies are in line with our findings, which found that children had different patterns of activity than what was seen before COVID-19. For example, changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior were reported by parents and legal guardians of children living in the U.S. using an online survey [ 2 ]. Among Spanish youth, the lockdown substantially reduced physical activity levels (MD = −102.5 min per week) and increased daily hours of screen time (MD = 2.9 h per day); suggesting that restrictive mobility measures with the closure of schools and high schools had played an important role in these lifestyle behaviors worsening [ 3 ].…”

“…Recent studies published about healthy lifestyles during confinement have shown adverse collateral effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical health [ 1 ] in children and adolescents. It has been shown that U.S. children performed less physical activity and engaged in more sedentary behavior during the early COVID-19 period as compared to before the pandemic [ 2 ]. Another study in Spanish children and adolescents (3 to 16 years old) also reported a reduction in physical activity levels and increased both screen exposure and sleep time [ 3 ].…”

Promoting Physical Activity During School Closures Imposed by the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Physical Education Teachers’ Behaviors in Three European Countries

“…Unfortunately, strong evidence reveals that the majority of children and adolescents in many countries do not participate in sufficient physical activity (PA) [17]. Moreover, as observed among adults [18], adolescents' PA levels have been shown to decline during lockdown, probably because of the closure of schools, sports facilities, and public parks [19]. In this scenario, the promotion of PA participation among young people has represented a public health priority.…”