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Objective Behavioral Measures in Children before, during, and after the COVID-19 Lockdown in Israel

Author

Listed:
  • Einat Shneor

    (Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem 9101001, Israel)

  • Ravid Doron

    (Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem 9101001, Israel)

  • Jonathan Levine

    (Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem 9101001, Israel)

  • Deena Rachel Zimmerman

    (Maternal Child and Adolescent Division Public Health Services, Israel Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel)

  • Julia S. Benoit

    (Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, Houston, TX 77004, USA
    College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA)

  • Lisa A. Ostrin

    (College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA)

  • Ariela Gordon-Shaag

    (Department of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem 9101001, Israel)

Abstract

Studies using questionnaires report that COVID-19 restrictions resulted in children spending significantly less time outdoors. This study used objective measures to assess the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on children’s behavior. A total of 19 healthy 8–12-year-old boys were observed before and during social restriction periods. Of these, 11 boys were reassessed after restrictions were lifted. For each session, Actiwatches were dispensed for measures of time outdoors, activity, and sleep. Changes overall and by school status were assessed using signed-rank test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. During restrictions, children spent significantly less time outdoors ( p = 0.001), were less active ( p = 0.001), and spent less time engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( p = 0.004). Sleep duration was not significantly different between sessions ( p > 0.99), but bedtime and wake time shifted to a later time during restrictions ( p < 0.05 for both). Time outdoors and activity returned close to pre-pandemic levels after restrictions were lifted ( p > 0.05 for both). Children’s behaviors significantly changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduction in outdoor light exposure is of importance due to the role of light in the etiology of myopia and vitamin D production. The reduction in physical activity may have negative health effects in terms of obesity and depression, although further research is required to ascertain the long-term effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Einat Shneor & Ravid Doron & Jonathan Levine & Deena Rachel Zimmerman & Julia S. Benoit & Lisa A. Ostrin & Ariela Gordon-Shaag, 2021. "Objective Behavioral Measures in Children before, during, and after the COVID-19 Lockdown in Israel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8732-:d:617137
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea Nathan & Phoebe George & Michelle Ng & Elizabeth Wenden & Pulan Bai & Zino Phiri & Hayley Christian, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Western Australian Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Rafat Ghanamah & Hazar Eghbaria-Ghanamah, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Behavioral and Emotional Aspects and Daily Routines of Arab Israeli Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Ciao-Lin Ho & Wei-Fong Wu & Yiing Mei Liou, 2019. "Dose–Response Relationship of Outdoor Exposure and Myopia Indicators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Various Research Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Borja Sañudo & Curtis Fennell & Antonio J. Sánchez-Oliver, 2020. "Objectively-Assessed Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Smartphone Use, and Sleep Patterns Pre- and during-COVID-19 Quarantine in Young Adults from Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-12, July.
    5. Rihab Abid & Achraf Ammar & Rami Maaloul & Nizar Souissi & Omar Hammouda, 2021. "Effect of COVID-19-Related Home Confinement on Sleep Quality, Screen Time and Physical Activity in Tunisian Boys and Girls: A Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Larouche & Madeline Kleinfeld & Ulises Charles Rodriguez & Cheryl Hatten & Victoria Hecker & David R. Scott & Leanna Marie Brown & Ogochukwu K. Onyeso & Farzana Sadia & Hanako Shimamura, 2023. "Determinants of Outdoor Time in Children and Youth: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal and Intervention Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-33, January.

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