Abstract
Studies using questionnaires report that COVID-19 restrictions resulted in children spending significantly less time outdoors. This study used objective measures to assess the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on children’s behavior. A total of 19 healthy 8–12-year-old boys were observed before and during social restriction periods. Of these, 11 boys were reassessed after restrictions were lifted. For each session, Actiwatches were dispensed for measures of time outdoors, activity, and sleep. Changes overall and by school status were assessed using signed-rank test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. During restrictions, children spent significantly less time outdoors (p = 0.001), were less active (p = 0.001), and spent less time engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = 0.004). Sleep duration was not significantly different between sessions (p > 0.99), but bedtime and wake time shifted to a later time during restrictions (p < 0.05 for both). Time outdoors and activity returned close to pre-pandemic levels after restrictions were lifted (p > 0.05 for both). Children’s behaviors significantly changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduction in outdoor light exposure is of importance due to the role of light in the etiology of myopia and vitamin D production. The reduction in physical activity may have negative health effects in terms of obesity and depression, although further research is required to ascertain the long-term effects.
Highlights
Lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, outdoor light exposure, and sleep cycle have been shown to be important for children’s physical and mental health
Outdoor light exposure is important to protect children from vitamin D deficiency, which has been implicated in numerous diseases [3]
Of the 36 boys who participated in the experiment before the pandemic, 22 boys participated during the pandemic
Summary
Lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, outdoor light exposure, and sleep cycle have been shown to be important for children’s physical and mental health. Regular physical activity is recommended for children and adolescents to promote health and well-being [1]. Physical activity can help reduce risk factors for common noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and depression [2]. Outdoor light exposure is important to protect children from vitamin D deficiency, which has been implicated in numerous diseases [3]. Spending more time outdoors during childhood lowers the risk of developing myopia and may delay its progression [4]. Greater consistency in sleep timing may contribute to, or be reflective of, a healthier lifestyle, whereas greater bed-time variability is associated with a less healthy pattern of lifestyle behaviors [5]
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