Sociodemographic Predictors of Changes in Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep among Toddlers and Preschoolers in Chile during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nicolas Aguilar-Farias, Marcelo Toledo-Vargas, Sebastian Miranda-Marquez, Andrea Cortinez-O'Ryan, Carlos Cristi-Montero, Fernando Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Pia Martino-Fuentealba, Anthony D. Okely and Borja del Pozo Cruz
Additional contact information
Nicolas Aguilar-Farias: Department of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Marcelo Toledo-Vargas: Department of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Sebastian Miranda-Marquez: Department of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Andrea Cortinez-O'Ryan: Department of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Carlos Cristi-Montero: IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2374631, Chile
Fernando Rodriguez-Rodriguez: IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2374631, Chile
Pia Martino-Fuentealba: Department of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Anthony D. Okely: Early Start, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Borja del Pozo Cruz: Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: The aim was to examine the sociodemographic predictors associated with changes in movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time, and sleep) among toddlers and preschoolers during the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Chile. Caregivers of 1- to 5-year-old children completed an online survey between 30 March and 27 April 2020. Information about the child’s movement behaviors before (retrospectively) and during the pandemic, as well as family characteristics were reported. In total, 3157 participants provided complete data (mean children age: 3.1 ± 1.38 years). During early stages of the pandemic, time spent in physical activity decreased, recreational screen time and sleep duration increased, and sleep quality declined. Toddlers and preschoolers with space to play at home and living in rural areas experienced an attenuated impact of the pandemic restrictions on their physical activity levels, screen time, and sleep quality. Older children, those whose caregivers were aged ≥35–<45 years and had a higher educational level, and those living in apartments had greater changes, mainly a decrease in total physical activity and increase in screen time. This study has shown the significant impact of the pandemic restrictions on movement behaviors in toddlers and preschoolers in Chile.

Keywords: physical activity; sedentary behavior; sleep; active play; outdoor time; movement behaviors; COVID-19 (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 (5)

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