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Parents’ Report of Canadian Elementary School Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Ostermeier

    (Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Child Health and Physical Activity Laboratory, School of Occupational Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environment, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada)

  • Patricia Tucker

    (Child Health and Physical Activity Laboratory, School of Occupational Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environment, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada)

  • Andrew Clark

    (Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environment, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada)

  • Jamie A. Seabrook

    (Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environment, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
    School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON N6G 1H2, Canada
    Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada)

  • Jason Gilliland

    (Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environment, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
    Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Department of Paediatrics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada)

Abstract

COVID-19 public health protocols have altered children’s daily routines, limiting their physical activity opportunities. The purpose of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected children’s (ages 10–12 years) physical activity and screen time, and to explore the impact of gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and public health constraints (i.e., facility use and social interaction) on the changes in children’s health behaviors. Online surveys were disseminated to parents at two time points: before COVID-19 (May 2019 to February 2020) and during COVID-19 (November to December 2020). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to assess changes in physical activity and screen time, and for subgroup analyses. Parents ( n = 95) reported declines in children’s physical activity (Z = −2.53, p = 0.01, d = 0.18), and increases in weekday (Z = −4.61, p < 0.01, d = 0.33) and weekend screen time (Z = −3.79, p < 0.01, d = 0.27). Significant changes in physical activity and screen time behaviors were identified between gender, SES, and facility use groups. All social interaction groups underwent significant changes in screen time. Overall, COVID-19 protocols have negatively influenced children’s physical activity and screen time. Due to the negative consequences of inactivity and excessive screen time, resources must be made available to support families during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Ostermeier & Patricia Tucker & Andrew Clark & Jamie A. Seabrook & Jason Gilliland, 2021. "Parents’ Report of Canadian Elementary School Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12352-:d:686775
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Iris A. Lesser & Carl P. Nienhuis, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Behavior and Well-Being of Canadians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Mariana Brussoni & Rebecca Gibbons & Casey Gray & Takuro Ishikawa & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Guylaine Chabot & Pamela Fuselli & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Picket, 2015. "What is the Relationship between Risky Outdoor Play and Health in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-32, June.
    3. Anne Kelso & Anne K Reimers & Karim Abu-Omar & Kathrin Wunsch & Claudia Niessner & Hagen Wäsche & Yolanda Demetriou, 2021. "Locations of Physical Activity: Where Are Children, Adolescents, and Adults Physically Active? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-35, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefanie Wessely & Nina Ferrari & David Friesen & Martin Grauduszus & Marlen Klaudius & Christine Joisten, 2022. "Changes in Motor Performance and BMI of Primary School Children over Time–Influence of the COVID-19 Confinement and Social Burden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Lorraine Cale, 2023. "Physical Education: At the Centre of Physical Activity Promotion in Schools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Monika Szpunar & Kendall Saravanamuttoo & Leigh M. Vanderloo & Brianne A. Bruijns & Stephanie Truelove & Shauna M. Burke & Jason Gilliland & Jennifer D. Irwin & Patricia Tucker, 2022. "Children’s Physical Activity during COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada: Parents’ Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-16, November.

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