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The change in children’s and adolescents’ physical activity levels and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales / ISABELLA RODDIS
Swansea University Author: ISABELLA RODDIS
Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-related lockdowns and restrictions took away children’s primary source of structure, routine and physical activity, creating an environment that encouraged sedentary behaviour. The aim of the study was to determine the change in children’s and adoles...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2023
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| Supervisor: | McNarry, Melitta. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65081 |
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| Abstract: |
Introduction: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-related lockdowns and restrictions took away children’s primary source of structure, routine and physical activity, creating an environment that encouraged sedentary behaviour. The aim of the study was to determine the change in children’s and adolescents’ physical activity and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: 4,885 children aged 8-18 years old living in Wales answered an online questionnaire over the course of four time-points (January 2021 to March 2022). At each time-point, a sub-sample of 800 participants was randomly selected stratified by age, sex, and socio-economic status to wear an Axivity AX3 accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Linear mixed models were used to assess the influence of PA metrics, time-point, age group, sex, socioeconomic status and well-being. Results: All PA metrics significantly increased (MVPA β=20.83, 95% CI:14.18-27.47, P<0.001; LPA β=41.81 CI:26.11-57.50 P<0.001) and sedentary time (β=-73.78, 95% CI:-113.48—34.08 p<0.05) decreased after lockdown (first time-point) whilst well-being significantly increased at the second (2.05 ± 0.72; p=0.005) and third time-point (4.89 ± 1.80; p= 0.007). There was no significant sex difference in moderate-to-vigorous PA during lockdown (p=0.327) but at all other time points boys engaged in significantly more MVPA than their female counterparts (2nd time-point 24.33, p<0.001; 3rd time-point 23.25, p<0.001; 4th time-point 17.66, p<0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between well-being and MVPA across all time-points (β=0.28; 95% CI:0.01-0.49; p=0.008). Conclusion: Despite boys and primary school children having the greatest change in their MVPA during the period of COVID-19 restrictions, girls and secondary school children’s PA levels remained concerningly low. As with prior to the COVID-19 pandemic girls and secondary school children should be targeted with interventions to increase their PA levels. |
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| Keywords: |
Physical activity, well-being, COVID-19, children |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |