The Impact of COVID-19 on the Interrelation of Physical Activity, Screen Time and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents in Germany: Results of the Motorik-Modul Study

Abstract

Reduced physical activity (PA) and prolonged screen time (ST) negatively influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL), a protective factor against illness and mortality. Studies addressing the relationship between PA, ST, and mental health in youth are scarce, especially in times with high mental health burdens like the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this examination was to investigate whether PA, ST, and HRQoL before COVID-19 predict PA, ST, and HRQoL during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants from the Motorik-Modul Study (MoMo; N = 1711; Mage = 10.36 (SD = 4.04) years, female = 49.8%; healthy weight = 76.8%) self-reported their PA and ST as well as HRQoL both before and during COVID-19. Relationships of all variables, from before to during COVID-19, were investigated through a path prediction model. Results showed all variables during COVID-19 were predicted by the respective levels before COVID-19, independent of gender and age. Cross-lags revealed a negative influence of before COVID-19 ST on during COVID-19 PA. HRQoL before COVID-19 was positively associated with during COVID-19 PA in children younger than 10 years and females, but not in adolescents and boys. As age- and gender-independent negative influence of before COVID-19 ST on during COVID-19 PA has been detected, health policy may be advised to focus on a general reduction in ST instead of PA enhancement to ensure high PA levels.

Effect of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Children: A Systematic Review

“…Regarding the instruments used to evaluate the HRQoL, four different scales were used to evaluate the HRQoL of children and adolescents: KIDSCREEN-10 index, the SF-36, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Questionnaire, and a Likert Scale (0–10). Three articles explicitly stated that used language validated versions [ 16 , 22 ] whereas the other three articles only described the questionnaire in their article [ 15 , 17 , 18 ]. To summarize, three articles reported that COVID-19 significantly reduced the HRQoL of children and adolescents [ 15 , 16 ], two articles did not find a significant impact [ 17 , 18 ], and one article did not report statistical comparison between pre- and post-pandemic data.…”

“…To summarize, three articles reported that COVID-19 significantly reduced the HRQoL of children and adolescents [ 15 , 16 ], two articles did not find a significant impact [ 17 , 18 ], and one article did not report statistical comparison between pre- and post-pandemic data. Differences between girls and boys were explored in two articles [ 16 , 22 ] and non-significant differences were observed in the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HRQoL. The impact of COVID-19 on the different dimensions of HRQoL was only analyzed in one study [ 16 ], showing that COVID-19 has negatively affected functional capacity, physical aspect, general health status, vitality, social aspects, emotional aspects, and mental health in both children and adolescents.…”

“…The Likert scales, with a 0–10 scale, which was used to measure the HRQoL, represented the 0 as the absence of health and 10 representing complete health. In this systematic review, three articles employed the KIDSCREEN-10 index to assess the quality of life of children and adolescents [ 13 , 18 , 22 ], one article used the SF-36 [ 16 ], another the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Questionnaire [ 17 ], and another used a Likert Scale (0–10) [ 15 ].…”

Körperliche Aktivität in der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie: Selektiver Überblick und Perspektiven

“…Allerdings zeigte sich auch, dass ein hohes Ausmaß an Bildschirmzeit vor der Pandemie nicht nur positiv mit der Bildschirmzeit während der Pandemie korrelierte, sondern auch einen negativen Einfluss auf das Bewegungsverhalten während der Pandemie hatte. Im Gegensatz dazu korrelierte die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität vor der Pandemie bei Kindern unter 10 Jahren und Mädchen insgesamt positiv mit der körperlichen Aktivität während der Pandemie (Wunsch et al, 2021). Brand et al (2020) zufolge neigten unter knapp 13.700 Teilnehmer aus 18 Ländern die vor dem Lockdown weniger aktiven Personen dazu, ihre Trainingshäufigkeit während des Lockdowns zu steigern.…”

Imaging Appropriateness in Pediatric Radiology during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Comparison with No COVID-19 Period

“…People were allowed to leave their houses for very limited needs (mainly job or urgent medical needs) [1]. Therefore, urban circulation, as well as outdoor activities, were minimized, leading to an increase in children's sedentary home life with health's implications [2,3]. The locking down resulted, among other issues, also in a sharp decrease in admissions to the emergency departments (ED), including the pediatric ones (pED).…”