Perceived changes in lifestyle behaviours and in mental health and wellbeing of elementary school children during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Canada

Katerina Maximova; Mohammad K A Khan; Julia Dabravolskaj; Laena Maunula; Arto Ohinmaa; Paul J Veugelers

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2021.10.007

Perceived changes in lifestyle behaviours and in mental health and wellbeing of elementary school children during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Canada

Public Health. 2022 Jan:202:35-42. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.10.007. Epub 2021 Oct 20.

Authors

Katerina Maximova¹, Mohammad K A Khan², Julia Dabravolskaj³, Laena Maunula³, Arto Ohinmaa³, Paul J Veugelers⁴

Affiliations

¹ MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria St, M5B 1T8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St Room 500, M5T 3M7, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-50E University Terrace, 8303 112 Street NW, T6G 1K4, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
² Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St Room 500, M5T 3M7, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-50E University Terrace, 8303 112 Street NW, T6G 1K4, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁴ School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-50E University Terrace, 8303 112 Street NW, T6G 1K4, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: paul.veugelers@ualberta.ca.

Abstract

Objectives: The closure of schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19 prompted concerns of deteriorating lifestyle behaviours, mental health, and wellbeing of children, particularly those in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings. We assessed changes in lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, screen time, eating habits and bed/wake-up times), mental health and wellbeing during the first lockdown in Spring 2020 as perceived by school children from disadvantaged settings, and examined determinants of these changes.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: We surveyed 1095 grade 4 to 6 students (age 9-12 years) from 20 schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in northern Canada. Students reported on changes in lifestyle behaviours, mental health and wellbeing during the lockdown. Determinants of these perceived changes were examined in multivariable regression models.

Results: A majority of students reported declines in physical activity, having late bed/wake-up times, and modest improvements in mental health and wellbeing. Many students reported increases rather than decreases in screen time and snacking. Positive attitudes toward being active, eating healthy, going to sleep on time and being healthy were strongly associated with maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviours during the lockdown. Positive attitudes toward active and healthy living and healthy lifestyle behaviours were associated with maintaining positive mental health and wellbeing during the lockdown.

Conclusions: The considerable changes in lifestyle behaviors, superimposed on the pre-existing burden of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, put this generation of children at increased risk for future chronic disease. Findings call for effective health promotion of active and healthy lifestyles to benefit both physical and mental health.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children; Lifestyle behaviours; Mental health and wellbeing; Public health; School health.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Child
Communicable Disease Control
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Life Style
Mental Health*
SARS-CoV-2
Schools