Physical activity behaviour and screen time in Dutch children during the COVID-19 pandemic: Pre-, during- and post-school closures

Abstract

Background: Measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the closure of schools and sports facilities, may have lasting impact on the physical activity (PA) of children that persists for a long time.

Objective: To investigate the effect of COVID-19 measures on screen time and PA in Dutch children pre-, during- and post-school closures.

Methods: In cohort A (n = 102, 10.5 ± 3.6 years, 42.4% boys), data on PA and screen time during the lockdown were collected using a questionnaire. In cohort B (n = 131, 10.2 ± 0.9 years, 43.5% boys), data on PA and screen time were collected using a questionnaire and accelerometry 1 year before and after school closure.

Results: In cohort A, 62% reported less total PA. Self-reported screen time on week days increased 34 ± 105 min/d during the lockdown. In cohort B, sedentary time as measured by accelerometry, increased by 45 ± 67 min/d and only 20% reached PA levels of 60 min/d compared to 64% in May 2019. Self-reported screen time increased by 59 ± 112 min/d and 62 ± 130 min/d during week and weekend days, respectively.

Conclusions: Children were less physically active, and screen time was higher during and after the school closures due to the COVID-19 lockdown. This is alarming as an active lifestyle in children is crucial in preventing chronic diseases such as obesity.

Keywords: BAECKE; COVID-19 pandemic; accelerometry; children; physical activity; screen time.