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Health Behavior Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis among Children

Author

Listed:
  • Traci A. Bekelman

    (Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Yanan Dong

    (Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Amy J. Elliott

    (Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57108, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57108, USA)

  • Assiamira Ferrara

    (Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

  • Kaylyn Friesen

    (Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Maren Galarce

    (Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

  • Diane Gilbert-Diamond

    (Department of Epidemiology, Medicine and Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Deborah H. Glueck

    (Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Monique M. Hedderson

    (Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

  • Christine W. Hockett

    (Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57108, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57108, USA)

  • Margaret R. Karagas

    (Department of Epidemiology, Medicine and Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Emily A. Knapp

    (Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Maristella Lucchini

    (Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Julia C. McDonald

    (Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

  • Katherine A. Sauder

    (Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Dana Dabelea

    (Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    See Acknowledgments for full listing of collaborators.)

Abstract

This longitudinal study compared children’s health behaviors before the COVID-19 pandemic versus during the pandemic. This analysis examined the association between individual-level characteristics and health behavior change. Four prospective cohort studies in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program contributed data. Children aged 4–12 years and their caregivers were recruited in California, Colorado, North Dakota, and New Hampshire. Dietary intake, physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration were assessed with questionnaires pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. The final sample included 347 children: 47% female and 62% non-Hispanic White. Compared with pre-pandemic, weekday screen time duration was higher during the pandemic (3.0 vs. 4.5 h, p < 0.001). Unadjusted increases in screen time duration differed by race and ethnicity: 1.3 h/day for non-Hispanic White children, 2.3 h/day for Hispanic children, and 5.3 h/day for non-Hispanic Black children. Overall, no changes occurred in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake ( p = 0.26), discretionary food intake ( p = 0.93), and physical activity ( p = 0.15). Sleep duration increased by 30 min among children who did not meet sleep recommendations pre-pandemic. Child sex and maternal education level were not associated with health behavior change. The pandemic may have exacerbated disparities in some health behaviors. Families may need support to re-establish healthy routines.

Suggested Citation

  • Traci A. Bekelman & Yanan Dong & Amy J. Elliott & Assiamira Ferrara & Kaylyn Friesen & Maren Galarce & Diane Gilbert-Diamond & Deborah H. Glueck & Monique M. Hedderson & Christine W. Hockett & Margare, 2022. "Health Behavior Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis among Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9220-:d:874020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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