Quarantots, quarankids, and quaranteens: how research can contribute to mitigating the deleterious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviours and social inequalities while achieving sustainable change

Abstract

The adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviours including age-appropriate amounts of physical activity, limited sedentary and screen time, and healthy eating are the foundations for youth development and thriving. In reviewing extant evidence, we observe that the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with marked reductions in physical activity, increased sedentary and screen time, and increased food intake and unhealthy snacking. Deleterious effects in movement behaviours appear to be more pronounced among vulnerable groups and food insecurity has become more widespread. To contribute to mitigating these impacts, we advocate for strengthened evidence-based public health. Towards this end, ongoing surveillance should be intensified and augmented with additional indicators of social inequalities. More importantly, substantial efforts must be devoted to developing, implementing, and evaluating complex interventions aimed at equitably promoting recommended 24-hour movement behaviours and healthy eating guidelines in home, childcare, school, and neighbourhood settings. Résumé L'adoption et le maintien de saines habitudes de vie telles des niveaux d'activité physique appropriés pour l'âge, des durées limitées d'activités sédentaires et de temps d'écran, de même qu'une alimentation saine, sont des piliers pour le développement et l'épanouissement des enfants et des jeunes. Après avoir recensé les écrits disponibles, nous constatons que la pandémie de COVID-19 a été associée avec une réduction marquée de l'activité physique, une augmentation de la durée des activités sédentaires et du temps d'écran et une augmentation de la consommation de nourriture et de collations sucrées. Les effets délétères sur les comportements d'activité physique semblent plus prononcés parmi les groupes vulnérables et l'insécurité alimentaire est davantage répandue. Afin de contribuer à atténuer ces impacts, nous proposons le renforcement d'une santé publique fondée sur les données probantes. Nous recommandons une intensification et une bonification des activités de surveillance par l'ajout de nouveaux indicateurs pour mesurer les inégalités sociales de santé. De plus, des efforts considérables doivent être investis dans le développement, l'implantation et l'évaluation d'interventions complexes visant à promouvoir équitablement les directives canadiennes relatives au mouvement sur 24 heures et les saines habitudes alimentaires dans les familles, milieux de garde, écoles et quartiers résidentiels.

The International Framework for School Health Promotion: Supporting Young People Through and After the COVID‐19 Pandemic*

“…As school communities try to manage the long‐term impacts of COVID‐19, they require extra support to implement innovative health promotion practices, particularly in disadvantaged areas that have experienced disproportionate health impacts 35 . Schools remain well‐positioned to integrate existing health policy and to continually revise and innovate existing programs to meet the needs of their local communities 39 …”

“…COVID‐19 restrictions have undeniably disrupted the daily routines of children, parents, and teachers, exacerbating the already prevalent physical, behavioral and mental health issues for children and adolescents 39 . The WHO's global status report published in October 2022 indicated that 81% of 11 to 17‐year‐olds are not meeting the recommended daily physical activity guidelines 47 .…”

“…35 Schools remain well-positioned to integrate existing health policy and to continually revise and innovate existing programs to meet the needs of their local communities. 39…”

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic: With hindsight what lessons can we learn?

“…Individually, the impacts of the Pandemic and school closures on healthy living behaviours is a major cause for concern, when combined with childhood obesity, the full scale of the problem becomes worryingly apparent. 24 To address the damage that has been done to children by the Pandemic and lockdowns calls have begun for recovery plans for children, see for example Gauvin et al 25 Of course, not just children have suffered from the closure of schools but parents, and particularly mothers, had to take on the responsibility of teachers which many found had a negative impact on their mental health. 26 It would be remiss of researchers to not continue to monitor and assess the long term effects of this period on young people and their families following such an unprecedented compromise of public health.…”

COVID-19 related information seeking: The impact of media on parental concerns

“…At the same time, the pandemic have also impacted the lives of school-aged children due to restrictions in social interactions with peers and outdoor physical activities during school suspension ( 25 , 26 ). This vulnerable population may be impacted by deterioration in parent-child relations ( 27 ), psychological well-being ( 28 ) or violence and maltreatment ( 29 ).…”