Impact of the COVID‐19 virus outbreak on 24‐h movement behaviours among children in Saudi Arabia: A cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Background In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus (COVID‐19) outbreak as a pandemic. This led many governments to place restrictions on population movement to aid in pandemic control. These restrictions were expected to produce some type of impact on the daily lives of children and their families. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on 24‐h movement behaviours among Saudi children aged 6–12 years, during the pandemic. Methods An online survey of Saudi parents ( n = 1021) was conducted between 1 October to 11 November 2020 to gather information about the impact of the COVID‐19 outbreak on children's 24‐h movement behaviours, parent and child factors that may be associated with movement behaviours, and perceived changes in children's movement behaviours. Results Only 3.4% of Saudi children met all components of 24‐h movement guidelines. Compared with before COVID‐19, children's PA levels declined, they slept more, and their use of electronic screen devices significantly increased. The perceived changes in PA and SB were more unfavourable among girls than boys. Children of older parents, mothers, and those with lower education levels and lower monthly incomes were more likely to meet 24‐h movement guidelines. Conclusion The COVID‐19 virus outbreak unfavourably affected Saudi children's movement behaviours, more specifically, girls, which should be taken into account in future research. The results provide an insight into what has changed because of the COVID‐19 restrictions and could be considered as part of the response strategies in Saudi Arabia.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Primary School Children in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Association with Parents’ Behaviors

“…The results of this study also showed that during the pandemic 100% of children in this study exceeded the Saudi sedentary guidelines. This proportion is higher than that recently reported in a parent-based survey study [ 12 ]. Previous data showed that, during the pandemic, approximately 85% of Saudi children exceeded the recommended amount (<2 h/day) of sedentary time [ 12 ].…”

“…This proportion is higher than that recently reported in a parent-based survey study [ 12 ]. Previous data showed that, during the pandemic, approximately 85% of Saudi children exceeded the recommended amount (<2 h/day) of sedentary time [ 12 ]. The higher proportion of children that exceeded the sedentary recommendation in our study can be attributed to many reasons.…”

“…This proportion is higher than that recently reported in a parent-based survey study. Alanazi et al [ 12 ] reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic approximately 36% of Saudi children met the MVPA guidelines. The high level of MVPA and the increase in the number of children meeting the MVPA guidelines reported in our study can be attributed to factors related to the living environment.…”

“…For example, a cross-sectional study using interviews showed a significant decline in PA in 52% of Saudi children and adolescents ( n = 452) [ 11 ]. Additionally, a parent-based survey study reported a negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Saudi primary school children [ 12 ]. In their study, Alanazi et al [ 12 ] reported that only 35.7% of the study sample ( n = 1021), between October and November 2020, met the recommended 60 min of MVPA per day, and only 15.2% spent 2 h or less in sedentary behavior.…”

“…Additionally, a parent-based survey study reported a negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Saudi primary school children [ 12 ]. In their study, Alanazi et al [ 12 ] reported that only 35.7% of the study sample ( n = 1021), between October and November 2020, met the recommended 60 min of MVPA per day, and only 15.2% spent 2 h or less in sedentary behavior. Internationally, a recent review also showed that 57 of 84 included studies reported a reduction between 10.8 and 91 min/day in PA levels in children and adolescents [ 13 ].…”