Promoting healthy movement behaviours among children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Healthy child and youth development is fostered through su cient physical activity (PA; including time outdoors), limiting sedentary behaviours (SB), and adequate sleep; collectively known as movement behaviours. Though the COVID-19 virus outbreak has changed the daily lives of children and youth, it is unknown to what extent related restrictions may compromise the ability to play and meet movement behaviour recommendations. This study examined the immediate impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on movement and play behaviours in children and youth. Methods: A national sample of Canadian parents (n=1,472) of children (5-11 years) or youth (12-17 years) (54% girls) completed an online survey that assessed immediate changes in child movement and play behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak. Behaviours included PA and play, SB, and sleep. Family demographics and parental factors that may in uence movement behaviours were assessed. Correlations between behaviours and demographic and parental factors were determined. For open-ended questions, word frequency distributions were reported. Results: Only 4.8% (2.8% girls, 6.5% boys) of children and 0.8% (1.1% girls, 0.5% boys) of youth were meeting combined movement behaviour guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions. Children and youth had lower PA levels, less outside time, higher SB (including screen time), and more sleep during the outbreak. Parental encouragement and support, parental engagement in PA, and family dog ownership were positively associated with healthy movement behaviours. Although families spent less time in PA and more time in SB, several parents reported adopting new hobbies or accessing new resources. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of immediate collateral consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, demonstrating an adverse impact on the movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth. These ndings can guide efforts to preserve and promote child health during the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis recovery period, and to inform strategies to mitigate potential harm during future pandemics.

Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth: A national survey

“…These ndings are the rst to con rm speculations that pandemic-related restrictions are unfavourably related to movement behaviours of children and youth. 12,24 This observation has triangulated support from quantitative (descriptive and correlational) and qualitative (contextual) evidence.…”

“…31 There are emerging calls bringing attention to the likely impact of the global pandemic on the movement behaviours of adults, children and youth. 12,32,33 Our ndings describe some of the ways Canadian parents are adapting to this challenge. In the open-ended questions, respondents of this survey identi ed several creative ways that they were using their leisure-time to develop or renew new family hobbies.…”

“…37 Adopting healthy movement behaviours may help to mitigate the negative effects on children and youth of this pandemic. 12 Acknowledging the challenges in meeting movement behaviour guidelines and based on the advice of parents surveyed in this study, we recommend that:…”

“…During the initial response to the COVID-19 outbreak and recommendations for physical distancing, behaviour restrictions, and overall instructions to 'stay home', families are seeking guidance and solutions to preserve healthy routines, including healthy movement behaviours and opportunities to spend time outdoors. 12,13 Although differences exist in the number of COVID-19 cases across geographic jurisdictions, 14 preliminary data demonstrate that Canada is moving towards ' attening the curve'. 15 Federal and provincial politicians and Medical O cers of Health have continued to encourage Canadian families to get active and outdoors.…”

Psychosocial impact of respiratory infectious disease pandemics on children: a systematic review

“…Children's daily routine and healthy movement were affected by school closures. 35 A longitudinal observational study in Italy suggested that the obese kids underwent unfavorable changes in dietary habits, increased sleep and screen time, and decreased participation in outdoor activities during the COVID-19…”