On the Move or Barely Moving? Age-Related Changes in Physical Activity, Sedentary, and Sleep Behaviors by Weekday/Weekend Following Pandemic Control Policies

Ann Pulling Kuhn, Alysse J. Kowalski, Yan Wang, Rachel Deitch, Helina Selam, Zahra Rahmaty, Maureen M. Black and Erin R. Hager
Additional contact information
Ann Pulling Kuhn: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Alysse J. Kowalski: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Yan Wang: Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Rachel Deitch: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Helina Selam: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Zahra Rahmaty: Department of Biology and Medicine, Institut Universitaire de Formation et de Recherche en Soins, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, IUFRS Bureau 169—SV-A Secteur Vennes—Rte de la Corniche 10, CH-1010 Lausanne, Switzerland
Maureen M. Black: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Erin R. Hager: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: This study examined pre-pandemic (2017-early March 2020) to early-pandemic (Spring 2020) changes in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA), and sedentary behavior/sleep (SS), by weekday/weekend, and age (preschool, elementary, middle school). We re-enrolled children from two pre-pandemic obesity prevention trials and examined differences in accelerometer-measured PA from pre-pandemic to early-pandemic across age groups using linear mixed models. Children ( n = 75) were 51% multiple race/ethnicities, 29% preschool, 28% elementary, 43% middle school, 65% suburban, 21% rural, and 13% urban. Pre-pandemic to early-pandemic changes in weekday MVPA ( p = 0.006), LPA ( p = 0.018), and SS ( p = 0.003) differed by age. On weekdays, middle schoolers’ MVPA decreased 15.36 min/day ( p = 0.002) and SS increased 94.36 min/day ( p < 0.001) with non-significant changes among preschoolers and elementary schoolers. Compared to elementary schoolers, middle schoolers’ changes in weekday MVPA ( b = −16.34, p = 0.036) and SS ( b = 63.28, p = 0.039) significantly differed. Declines in weekday MVPA and increases in SS among middle schoolers suggest that, compared with younger children, middle schoolers are dependent on school and recreational facilities for PA, and in their absence engage in more sedentary activities and sleep.

Keywords: COVID-19; physical activity; children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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