Adherence
COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions and remote work/schooling lead to increased recreational screen time and decreased physical activity in parents and young children.
During periods of remote work or school, expect increased screen time and decreased physical activity. To counter this, schedule specific times for active play and try to integrate movement into screen-based activities (e.g., active video games) or ensure breaks from screens include physical movement. Focus on maintaining routines rather than achieving pre-pandemic levels of intensity.
Since COVID-19, screen time has increased among 74% of mothers, 61% of fathers, and 87% of children and physical activity had decreased among 59% of mothers, 52% of fathers, and 52% of children.
Why this rating
Cross-sectional survey data with self-reported measures; lacks objective validation (e.g., accelerometers) and long-term follow-up.
Source
The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Behavior, Stress, Financial and Food Security among Middle to High Income Canadian Families with Young Children
Nicholas Carroll et al. · Nutrients · 2020
DOI 10.3390/nu12082352
More from this paper
- COVID-19 restrictions lead to increased consumption of snack foods (chips, cookies) and decreased consumption of fast food/take-out among parents and children.Moderate
- COVID-19 restrictions lead to increased family stress, driven by balancing work with childcare/homeschooling and financial instability.Moderate
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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