Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ontario children's physical activity and screen time
Oral Presentation C8.3
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.687Keywords:
Child, Physical Activity, Screen Time, COVID-19Abstract
Background: COVID-19 protocols have restricted children’s use of recreational facilities and discouraged socialization with peers, potentially exacerbating children’s already low physical activity levels and excessive screen time. Purpose: This study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected children’s physical activity and screen time and explored the influence of gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and family COVID-19 constraints (i.e., facility use and social interaction) on children’s physical activity and screen time. Methods: Online surveys were disseminated to parents of grade 6 children (ages 10-12 years) in London, Ontario at two time points: before COVID-19 (May 2019 to February 2020) and during COVID-19 (November to December 2020). Surveys collected information about children’s physical activity, weekday and weekend screen time, demographics and family COVID-19 constraints. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to assess changes in physical activity and screen time. Results: Parents (n = 95) reported declines in children’s physical activity (p = 0.01) and increases in weekday (p < 0.01) and weekend screen time (p < 0.01). Significant changes in physical activity and screen time were identified between gender, SES, and facility use groups. Social interaction limitations resulted in significant changes in screen time, but not physical activity. Conclusions: COVID-19 protocols resulted in decreased physical activity and increased screen time among children. As physical activity and limited screen time are important for children’s health and well-being, resources that support physical activity during the pandemic are needed. Funding: The ACT-i-Pass program is funded by London’s Child and Youth Network.
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Copyright (c) 2021 Emma Ostermeier, Patricia Tucker, Andrew Clark, Jamie Seabrook, Jason A. Gilliland
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