Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Emotional Well-Being during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in China

Fei Qin, Yiqing Song, George P Nassis, Lina Zhao, Yanan Dong, Cuicui Zhao, Yiwei Feng and Jiexiu Zhao
Additional contact information
Fei Qin: School of Physical Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Yiqing Song: Department of Epidemiology, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
George P Nassis: Exercise Biology Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China
Lina Zhao: Exercise Biology Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China
Yanan Dong: Beijing Institute of Sports Science, Beijing 100075, China
Cuicui Zhao: Exercise Biology Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China
Yiwei Feng: Exercise Biology Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China
Jiexiu Zhao: Exercise Biology Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: We aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lock down on lifestyle in China during the initial stage of the pandemic. A questionnaire was distributed to Chinese adults living in 31 provinces of China via the internet using a snowball sampling strategy. Information on 7-day physical activity recall, screen time, and emotional state were collected between January 24 and February 2, 2020. ANOVA, χ² test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis. 12,107 participants aged 18–80 years were included. During the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, nearly 60% of Chinese adults had inadequate physical activity (95% CI 56.6%–58.3%), which was more than twice the global prevalence (27.5%, 25.0%–32.2%). Their mean screen time was more than 4 hours per day while staying at home (261.3 ± 189.8 min per day), and the longest screen time was found in young adults (305.6 ± 217.5 min per day). We found a positive and significant correlation between provincial proportions of confirmed COVID-19 cases and negative affect scores (r = 0.501, p = 0.004). Individuals with vigorous physical activity appeared to have a better emotional state and less screen time than those with light physical activity. During this nationwide lockdown, more than half of Chinese adults temporarily adopted a sedentary lifestyle with insufficient physical activity, more screen time, and poor emotional state, which may carry considerable health risks. Promotion of home-based self-exercise can potentially help improve health and wellness.

Keywords: COVID-19; lockdown; sedentary lifestyle; physical activity; screen time; psychological impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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