Sociodemographic Predictors of Changes in Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep Among Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers in Chile During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aguilar-Farías, Nicolás; Toledo-Vargas, Marcelo; Miranda-Márquez, Sebastián; Cortínez-O’Ryan, Andrea; Cristi-Montero, Carlos; Rodríguez‐Rodríguez, Fernando; Martino-Fuentealba, Pía; Okely, Anthony D.; Cruz, Borja del Pozo

doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0038.v1

Cited by 36 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Third, subjects at such age are dependent on parents’ decisions regarding their lifestyle. Finally, the geographic/urban environment could influence physical activity and sleep patterns during the early years [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Alonso‐Martínez

Ramírez‐Vélez

García‐Alonso

et al. 2021

IJERPH

138

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Background: A better understanding of the effects of the lockdown on lifestyle behaviors may help to guide the public health response to COVID-19 at a national level and to update the global strategy to respond COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on device-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, sleep and self-regulation; and to determine whether PA and sleep are related to self-regulation problems during the lockdown. Methods: PA, sedentary time and sleep were assessed using accelerometry in the week in which the Spanish national state of alarm was declared (n = 21). Parents reported preschooler’s self-regulation difficulties (internalizing and externalizing) before (n = 268) and during the lockdown (n = 157) by a validated questionnaire. Results: Preschoolers showed a decrease in total PA (mean difference [MD] = −43.3 min per day, 95% CI −68.1 to −18.5), sleep efficiency (MD = −2.09%, 95% CI −4.12 to −0.05), an increase in sedentary time (MD = 50.2 min per day, 95% CI 17.1 to 83.3) internalizing (MD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.28) and externalizing (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44) problems. Preschoolers who met the World Health Organization recommendations for PA had lower internalizing scores than non-active peers (MD = −1.28, 95% CI −2.53 to −0.03). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of meeting PA recommendations to reduce psychosocial difficulties during a lockdown situation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Socioeconomic status was measured according to the level of average income per family unit. Socioeconomic factors seem to be lifestyle determinants during the COVID-19 lockdown in children and adolescents [ 20 ]. Finally, the students were weighed and measured in light clothing and barefoot.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Alonso‐Martínez

Ramírez‐Vélez

García‐Alonso

et al. 2021

IJERPH

138

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“…Living in rural areas was frequently associated with fewer emotional changes in children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, living in rural areas was also reported as a factor positively related to smaller decreases in physical activity, declines in sleep quality and increases in screen time (25). In this line, a study conducted in 14 countries showed that preschoolers that were able to go outside during the pandemic were more likely to meet the PA guidelines (49).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We acknowledge that more factors may contribute to the emotional and behavioral changes during the pandemic. However, strategies to mitigate the negative socioemotional issues derived from the pandemic should include multilevel approaches for promoting more physical activity, less screen time and more and better sleep quality (25, 58). Policies must consider toddlers and preschoolers in their design and impact assessment due to a year in pandemic in the life of them is expected to have more considerable impact on their future development than in adults (43, 58, 59).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep) in children have suffered during the pandemic (25), with the potential of affecting diverse areas of health and development (26, 27). Physical activity in preschoolers has been positively associated with quality of life related to psychosocial health (28) and with sociability (29).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between movement behaviors and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers during early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile

Aguilar-Farías

Toledo-Vargas

Miranda-Márquez

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

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Background: There is limited evidence about emotional and behavioral responses in toddlers and preschoolers during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in Latin America. Objective: To assess associations between changes in movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time and sleep) and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers during early stages of the pandemic in Chile. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from March 30th to April 27th, 2020. Main caregivers of 1- to 5-year-old children living in Chile answered an online survey that included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, changes in the child's emotions and behaviors, movement behaviors and caregivers' stress during the pandemic. Multiple linear regressions were used to assess the association between different factors and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers. Results: In total, 1727 caregivers provided complete data on emotional changes for children aged 2.9 (1.36) years old, 47.9% girls. A large proportion of toddlers and preschoolers in Chile experienced emotional and behavioral changes. Most caregivers reported that children were 'more affectionate' (78.9%), 'more restless' (65.1%), and 'more frustrated' (54.1%) compared with pre-pandemic times. Factors such as child age, changes in movement behaviors, caregivers' age and stress, and residential area (urban/rural) were consistently associated with changes in emotions and behaviors. Conclusion: The pandemic substantially affected the emotions and behaviors of toddlers and preschoolers in Chile. Mental health promotion programs should consider multilevel approaches in which the promotion of movement behaviors and support for caregivers should be essential pieces for future responses.

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Family lifestyle is related to low‐income preschoolers' emotional well‐being during COVID‐19 pandemic

Ling

Kao

Robbins

et al. 2022

Child Adoles Psych Nursing

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Problem COVID‐19 has profoundly impacted children's behavioral and psychosocial development, especially young children from low‐income families. This study examined how caregivers' and preschoolers' lifestyle behaviors (sleep, screen time, physical activity, eating behavior) were related to preschoolers' emotional well‐being (sadness, fear, anger, and positive affect). Methods Using a cross‐sectional design, we recruited low‐income caregivers from Head Start organizations and the Qualtrics panel. Participants provided consent and completed an online survey. Findings A total of 408 caregivers (mean age = 31) participated: 17% Hispanic, 21% Black, 49% separated/single, 44% unemployed, and 39% with ≤high school education. After adjusting for demographics and preschoolers' lifestyle behaviors, caregivers' sleep disturbance was positively correlated with preschoolers' anger, fear, and sadness, while negatively related to positive affect. Similarly, caregivers' sleep time was positively correlated with preschoolers' sadness and negatively related to positive affect. Preschoolers' sleep time was negatively related to fear and positively related to positive affect. Likewise, preschoolers' physical activity was negatively correlated with fear, sadness, and positively correlated with positive affect. Additionally, preschoolers' fruit/vegetable intake was negatively associated with anger, fear, sadness, and positively associated with positive affect. Conclusions The identified behavior‐emotion connection provides a foundation for developing family‐based lifestyle interventions in promoting mental health among preschoolers.

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Sociodemographic Predictors of Changes in Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep Among Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers in Chile During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 36 publications

References 14 publications

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

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

Associations between movement behaviors and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers during early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile

Family lifestyle is related to low‐income preschoolers' emotional well‐being during COVID‐19 pandemic

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