Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep behavior and screen exposure time: an observational study among Indian school children

Measuring self-objectification in cisgender heterosexual women and men: A psychometric validation of the self-objectification beliefs and behaviors scale

Research demonstrates that self-objectification negatively impacts both cisgender heterosexual women and men. However, measures of self-objectification have primarily been designed for and validated in women, raising doubts about their applicability to men and demonstrated gender differences in self-objectification. This research investigated the psychometric properties of the Self-Objectification Beliefs and Behaviors Scale (SOBBS; Lindner & Tantleff-Dunn, 2017) in cisgender heterosexual women, and for the first time, in cisgender heterosexual men. Study 1 (women = 180, men = 163) and 2 (women = 137, men = 138, age-representative samples) used an online longitudinal design. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in Study 1 supported the original 2-factor structure of the SOBBS across genders. Multigroup CFA in Study 2 confirmed measurement invariance across genders. Women showed lower latent SOBBS Factor 1 than men, with no gender difference on latent Factor 2. Across studies, the SOBBS demonstrated good concurrent validity, convergent validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability for both genders, in addition to differentiation by sexual objectification experience. The psychometric properties of the Self-Objectification Questionnaire (Noll & Fredrickson, 1998) and the Objectified Body Consciousness Body Surveillance Scale (McKinley & Hyde, 1996) were also explored. Both scale scores were differentiated by gender after controlling for sexual objectification experience, suggesting that scores on these scales may be subject to gender-based measurement bias. Overall, the current research contributes to the evidence-base for effective measurement of self-objectification in men, indicating that the SOBBS is psychometrically sound for use not only in cisgender heterosexual women, but also in cisgender heterosexual men.

Impact of school closure during COVID-19 pandemic on school-going children in a rural population of Haryana: A qualitative study

Background

The Government of India undertook several measures for COVID-19 pandemic, of which school closure was one. This led to sudden shift of teaching methods from classroom-based to online mode. This study aimed to understand the effects of school closure on children during lockdown period.

Methods

This was a community-based qualitative study conducted in Faridabad District, Haryana, India, from January 2022 to February 2022. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) with school students of 8th standard and above and two FGDs with parents of school students below 8th standard were conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted with two school headmasters, two teachers, a Senior Medical Officer (SMO), District Education Officer (DEO), and District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO). Responses were recorded, transcribed, and reviewed to identify themes, and thematic analysis was done. Four major themes were framed-academic, physical, behavioral, and psychosocial.

Results

Decreased academic performance, teacher-student interaction, and distraction from the study were found in academic domain. There was reluctance to go back to school reopening. Low physical exercise, irregular sleep cycles meal skipping, and increased screen time were noticed. Limited mid-day meal nutrition was available. Increased fear, anxiety, and loneliness were faced along with an increase in household quarrels and violence. An increase in the number of child marriages was also reported. Few students had positive impacts like improvement in hygiene practices, learning new hobbies, and skills.

Conclusion

School closure had impact on the physical, mental, socio-behavioral, and academic aspects of school-going children. In case of similar events in the future, these impacts must be kept in mind by policymakers to achieve a balance between effective pandemic control and fruitful childhoods.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent sleep behavior

Restorative sleep is a fundamental component of adolescent wellbeing, and the COVID-19 pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities for adolescents' sleep. In this review, we synthesize emergent themes from the growing scientific evidence for the impact of the pandemic on adolescent sleep behavior across different stages of the pandemic and in different locations around the world. We also highlight the ways in which COVID-19 shaped sleep patterns among college students-a subgroup of adolescents transitioning to emerging adulthood that were particularly impacted by the shift to remote learning. Finally, we discuss variations in the impact according to several potential moderating factors in adolescents' lives and point to areas that require additional longitudinal research.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of preschoolers: A parental guide

Unexpected changes brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have affected humans worldwide. This review attempts to address major parental concerns about the development of preschool-aged children during the pandemic from the perspectives of neuropsychology, consultation, and motor development for preschoolers aged 2–5 years.

Methods

A total of 273 articles including original data, review articles, national and regional perspectives, government websites, and commentaries were considered in this review, of which 117 manuscripts were excluded because they were unrelated to children, adolescents, or COVID -19 pandemic/upper respiratory infections. A total of 156 manuscripts were included after reading the abstract and entire article.

Results

Telehealth could be an effective tool for addressing cognitive and emotional challenges that arise during the pandemic. Online consultations are highlighted for nutritional guidelines and to overcome problems that parents face when caring for children in difficult times. Outdoor activities using sanitisers, proper cleanliness, and following standard operating procedures are recommended. Parental preoccupation with media should be avoided. Interpretation: Many preschoolers show delays in reaching their developmental milestones, and the pandemic has increased parents' concerns, as access to practitioners is limited. Therefore, parents should be encouraged to undergo neuropsychological consultations whenever necessary. This study emphasises important strategies to ensure that children's development is minimally affected while staying in the confined environment of their homes. This study serves as a new guide for parents, as they raise young children in the new normal. Parents should undergo basic yearly physical, neuropsychological, nutritional, and speech checkups.

Effects of short-term quarantine on growth and development of children aged 1-36 months during the Omicron outbreak

Consequences of epidemic quarantine on children's well-being are not clear and there are scarce data about the short-term impact of epidemic quarantine on children's growth and development. The study aimed to explore and analyze the potential impacts of the Omicron outbreak on children's growth and development during the lockdown in Shanghai, China. Totally, 4565 children aged 1-36 months who had a routine physical examination in the child health departments of hospitals before (June 1, 2021, to July 6, 2021) and after (June 1, 2022, to July 6, 2022) Shanghai's lockdown were included in this study. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted by using the Infant Toddler Growth Development Screening Test (ITGDST). The children's growth and development in these two periods were compared with a propensity score matching (PSM) approach. After 1:1 matching, a total of 2462 children aged 1-36 months were analyzed. After PSM, there was no significant difference in terms of overall development, gross motor, fine motor, and language development for children before and after the Omicron lockdown. However, statistically significant decrease of wasting was observed for children after the lockdown (p < 0.05). Further interaction analysis indicated older age group (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.11-0.59) and the group of second parity (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.83) were favorable to language development during the lockdown.  Conclusion: Short-term quarantine had no significant adverse, but rather beneficial, effects on growth and development of children aged 1-36 months during the Omicron epidemic in Shanghai, China. What is Known: • Consequences of epidemic quarantine on children's well-being are not clear. Long-term psychological effects of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on children have been reported. However, there are scarce data about the short-term impact of epidemic quarantine on children's growth and development. What is New: • Short-term quarantine had no significant adverse, but rather beneficial, effects on growth and development of children aged 1-36 months during the Omicron epidemic in Shanghai, China.

A health impact assessment of gender inequities associated with psychological distress during COVID19 in Australia's most locked down state-Victoria

BACKGROUND

Since March 2020, when the COVID19 pandemic hit Australia, Victoria has been in lockdown six times for 264 days, making it the world's longest cumulative locked-down city. This Health Impact Assessment evaluated gender disparities, especially women's mental health, represented by increased levels of psychological distress during the lockdowns.

METHODS

A desk-based, retrospective Health Impact Assessment was undertaken to explore the health impacts of the lockdown public health directive with an equity focus, on the Victorian population, through reviewing available qualitative and quantitative published studies and grey literature.

RESULTS

Findings from the assessment suggest the lockdown policies generated and perpetuated avoidable inequities harming mental health demonstrated through increased psychological distress, particularly for women, through psychosocial determinants.

CONCLUSION

Ongoing research is needed to elucidate these inequities further. Governments implementing policies to suppress and mitigate COVID19 need to consider how to reduce harmful consequences of these strategies to avoid further generating inequities towards vulnerable groups within the population and increasing inequalities in the broader society.

Child and family factors associated with child mental health and well-being during COVID-19

Understanding the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the current generation of youth is critical for post-pandemic recovery planning. This study aimed to identify the most salient child (i.e., connectedness to caregivers, screen time, sleep, physical activity, peer relationships, and recreational activities) and family (i.e., COVID-19 financial impact, maternal depression and anxiety) factors associated with children's mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, after controlling for pre-pandemic mental health. This study included 846 mother-child dyads (child age 9-11) from the All Our Families cohort. Mothers reported on the child's pre-pandemic mental health at age 8 (2017-2019) and during COVID-19 (May-July 2020), the family's financial impact due to COVID-19, and maternal depression and anxiety. During COVID-19 (July-August 2020), children reported on their screen time, sleep, physical activity, peer and family relationships, and recreational activities, as well as their happiness, anxiety and depression. After controlling for pre-pandemic anxiety, connectedness to caregivers (B - 0.16; 95% CI - 0.22 to - 0.09), child sleep (B - 0.11; 95% CI - 0.19 to - 0.04), and child screen time (B 0.11; 95% CI 0.04-0.17) predicted child COVID-19 anxiety symptoms. After controlling for pre-pandemic depression, connectedness to caregivers (B - 0.26; 95% CI - 0.32 to - 0.21) and screen time (B 0.09; 95% CI 0.02-0.16) predicted child COVID-19 depressive symptoms. After controlling for covariates, connectedness to caregivers (B 0.36; 95% CI 0.28-0.39) predicted child COVID-19 happiness. Fostering parent-child connections and promoting healthy device and sleep habits are critical modifiable factors that warrant attention in post-pandemic mental health recovery planning.

Deterioration of Mental Health in Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper reviews the global effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and China. We reviewed research on deteriorated mental health, including increased suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Various studies have shown that students' mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the number of students who committed suicide has significantly increased in the U.S. and Japan. Factors such as prior mental health status, change in daily routine, reduced physical activity, excessive screen time, overuse of electronic devices, and reduced social support have been reported to have a significant effect. The chain of deteriorating mental health among the youth began at the onset of COVID-19, social distancing, and school closure. As youths began to stay at home instead of going to school, they lost opportunities to connect with their friends or teachers, who could provide support outside of their homes. Young people spent less time on physical activity and more time online, which damaged their sleeping schedule and daily routine. In preparing for the post-pandemic phase, we should thoroughly analyze the long-term effects of the pandemic on youth mental health, while simultaneously tackling current imminent issues.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Performance in the Pediatric and Young Adult Population Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Physical activity (PA) decreased and sedentary behavior (SB) increased in the pediatric population during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We examined the effects of PA and SB on cardiopulmonary exercise performance in children, adolescents and young adults both with and without underling cardiac disease, and hypothesized that there will be a change in aerobic and physical working capacity during the pandemic. This was a single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study in patients age 6-22 years who underwent serial maximal cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Metabolic variables were obtained; PA and SB data were extracted from clinic notes. A total of 122 patients (60% male) underwent serial exercise testing with a median age of 14 years at the first CPET. Predicted peak aerobic capacity significantly decreased among both females and males during the pandemic, even after adjusting for changes in somatic growth. There was no significant change in physical working capacity during the pandemic. Patients who were more aerobically fit experienced a greater decrease in aerobic capacity during the pandemic compared to those less fit. In conclusion, cardiopulmonary exercise performance, notably aerobic activity, decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in children, adolescents and young adults compared to pre-pandemic values. This decline was most notable in those with the highest pre-pandemic aerobic capacity values and was independent of somatic growth or changes in BMI. This study has public health implications and demonstrates the importance of PA on overall cardiovascular health.

Epidemics, Lockdown Measures and Vulnerable Populations: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review of the Evidence of Impacts on Mother and Child Health in Low-and Lower-Middle-Income Countries

BACKGROUND

The aim of this research was to synthetise the existing evidence on the impact of epidemic-related lockdown measures on women and children's health in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs).

METHODS

A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods evidence. Between 1st and 10th of November 2021, seven scientific databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were that the paper provided evidence on the impact of lockdown and related measures, focused on LLMICs, addressed impacts on women and child's health, addressed epidemics from 2000-2020, was peer-reviewed, provided original evidence, and was published in English. The Joanne Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools were used to assess the quality of the studies, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting. The evidence from the papers was grouped by type of lockdown measure and categories of impact, using a narrative data-based convergent synthesis design.

RESULTS

The review process identified 46 papers meeting the inclusion criteria from 17 countries that focussed on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Ebola epidemics. The evidence on the decrease of utilisation of health services showed plummeting immunisation rates and faltering use of maternal and perinatal services, which was linked to a growth of premature deaths. Impacts on the mental health of children and women were convincingly established, with lockdowns associated with surges in depression, anxiety and low life satisfaction. Vulnerability may be compounded by lockdowns, as livelihoods were disrupted, and poverty levels increased.

CONCLUSION

Limitations included that searches were conducted in late-2020 as new research was being published, and that some evidence not published in English may have been excluded. Epidemic-related lockdown measures carry consequences for the health of women and children in lower-income settings. Governments will need to weigh the trade-offs of introducing such measures and consider policies to mitigate their impacts on the most vulnerable.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep quality in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We synthesise the literature on the potential influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep quality in children and adolescents. The search identified studies that examined the relationship between sleep quality and disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. It began in May 2021 and has had two updates with the last in January 2022. The databases used were LILACS, PubMed, and EMBASE. Random effects models were performed to explore heterogeneity between studies. Data were presented as continuous variables (mean value and standard deviation) to perform a meta-analysis. Twenty-nine studies from 16 countries were identified: Nine had children and eight had adolescents. The overall quality of the studies ranged from high (27.6%) to medium (65.5%) and low (6.9%). Eight studies were eligible for meta-analysis. There was an increase in sleep duration during the pandemic when compared with the previous period 0.33 (95%CI -0.07; 0.60) (p < 0.001) and late bedtime 0.78 (95%CI -0.33; 1.22) (p < 0.001). A trend toward reduced sleep efficiency was also detected 0.54 (95%CI -0.75; -0.33) p = 0.20. Parents' reports of increased use of screen media/electronic devices were associated with worse sleep quality. The results suggest an influence of the pandemic on sleep characteristics such as increased sleep duration, late bedtimes, and poor sleep quality. These alterations were related to changes in family routines during this period.

Methodologies and Wearable Devices to Monitor Biophysical Parameters Related to Sleep Dysfunctions: An Overview

Sleep is crucial for human health from metabolic, mental, emotional, and social points of view; obtaining good sleep in terms of quality and duration is fundamental for maintaining a good life quality. Over the years, several systems have been proposed in the scientific literature and on the market to derive metrics used to quantify sleep quality as well as detect sleep disturbances and disorders. In this field, wearable systems have an important role in the discreet, accurate, and long-term detection of biophysical markers useful to determine sleep quality. This paper presents the current state-of-the-art wearable systems and software tools for sleep staging and detecting sleep disorders and dysfunctions. At first, the paper discusses sleep's functions and the importance of monitoring sleep to detect eventual sleep disturbance and disorders. Afterward, an overview of prototype and commercial headband-like wearable devices to monitor sleep is presented, both reported in the scientific literature and on the market, allowing unobtrusive and accurate detection of sleep quality markers. Furthermore, a survey of scientific works related the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep functions, attributable to both infection and lifestyle changes. In addition, a survey of algorithms for sleep staging and detecting sleep disorders is introduced based on an analysis of single or multiple biosignals (EEG-electroencephalography, ECG-electrocardiography, EMG-electromyography, EOG-electrooculography, etc.). Lastly, comparative analyses and insights are provided to determine the future trends related to sleep monitoring systems.

Disrupted Sleep During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected sleep in several people. Though most of the studies argued that age, gender, employment, finances, responsibilities, and exposure to sunlight governed sleep-wake schedule and sleep disturbances, there is also scientific evidence to suggest that these issues could have aroused because of the infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS) by SARS-CoV-2. Sleep disturbances must be addressed during the pandemic as sleep disturbances and systemic inflammation run in a vicious cycle; quality of sleep and timing of vaccination can influence the immune response to vaccination and subjects having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at higher risk for having SARS-CoV-2 infection-related complications.

Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on sleep in children: A systematic review

Our main aim was to examine the evidence of the effects of coronavirus disease confinement on the sleep of children aged 12 years and younger. A systematic review was conducted following the recommendations for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. MEDLINE, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica Database, Psychological Information Database, and Web Of Science were systematically searched between the period of January 2020 and March 2021. The quality assessment was analysed with the Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment scale and the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies was applied to cross-sectional studies and each longitudinal study was assessed with the critical appraisal skills programme. Data analysis was carried out through a narrative review. Eight studies were included in the review. Seven studies reported changes in sleep routines and five studies focused on sleep disturbances during confinement. The most important findings were a longer duration of sleep time, an increase in sleep latency, and daytime sleepiness. Whether or not the adverse changes to sleep patterns and bedtime routines seen during the home confinement period have any long-term consequences for children's sleep and daytime functioning remains unknown.

Sleep in the time of COVID-19: findings from 17000 school-aged children and adolescents in the UK during the first national lockdown

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Sleep is essential to young people's wellbeing, yet may be constricted by the adolescent delayed sleep phase coupled with school start times. COVID-19 restrictions caused major disruptions to everyday routines, including partial school closures. We set out to understand changes in students' self-reported sleep quality, and associations with mental wellbeing and interpersonal functioning, during these restrictions.

METHODS

The OxWell school survey-a cross-sectional online survey-collected data from 18 642 children and adolescents (aged 8-19 years, 60% female, school year 4-13) from 230 schools in southern England, in June-July 2020. Participants completed self-report measures of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on sleep quality, happiness, and social relationships. Sleep timing was compared with data collected from 4222 young people in 2019.

RESULTS

Females and older adolescents were more likely to report deteriorations in sleep during the national lockdown. Regression analysis revealed that changes in happiness (β = .34) and how well students were getting on with others in their household (β = .07) predicted change in sleep quality. Students' bedtimes and wake times were later, and sleep duration was longer in 2020 compared to the 2019 survey. Secondary school students reported the greatest differences, especially later wake times.

CONCLUSIONS

During COVID-19 restrictions, sleep patterns consistent with adolescent delayed sleep phase were observed, with longer sleep times for secondary school students in particular. Perceived deteriorations in sleep quality were associated with reductions in happiness and interpersonal functioning, highlighting the importance of including sleep measures in adolescent wellbeing research.

Sleep and daytime problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and effects of coronavirus infection, confinement and financial suffering: a multinational survey using a harmonised questionnaire

OBJECTIVES

Sleep is important for human health and well-being. No previous study has assessed whether the COVID-19 pandemic impacts sleep and daytime function across the globe.

METHODS

This large-scale international survey used a harmonised questionnaire. Fourteen countries participated during the period of May-August 2020. Sleep and daytime problems (poor sleep quality, sleep onset and maintenance problems, nightmares, hypnotic use, fatigue and excessive sleepiness) occurring 'before' and 'during' the pandemic were investigated. In total, 25 484 people participated and 22 151 (86.9%) responded to the key parameters and were included. Effects of COVID-19, confinement and financial suffering were considered. In the fully adjusted logistic regression models, results (weighted and stratified by country) were adjusted for gender, age, marital status, educational level, ethnicity, presence of sleep problems before COVID-19 and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in each country at the time of the survey.

RESULTS

The responders were mostly women (64%) with a mean age 41.8 (SD 15.9) years (median 39, range 18-95). Altogether, 3.0% reported having had COVID-19; 42.2% reported having been in confinement; and 55.9% had suffered financially. All sleep and daytime problems worsened during the pandemic by about 10% or more. Also, some participants reported improvements in sleep and daytime function. For example, sleep quality worsened in about 20% of subjects and improved in about 5%. COVID-19 was particularly associated with poor sleep quality, early morning awakening and daytime sleepiness. Confinement was associated with poor sleep quality, problems falling asleep and decreased use of hypnotics. Financial suffering was associated with all sleep and daytime problems, including nightmares and fatigue, even in the fully adjusted logistic regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep problems, fatigue and excessive sleepiness increased significantly worldwide during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Problems were associated with confinement and especially with financial suffering.

Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the movement behaviors of children and youth: A scoping review of evidence after the first year

PURPOSE

The objective of this scoping review was to summarize systematically the available literature investigating the relationships between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) of school-aged children (aged 5-11 years) and youth (aged 12-17 years) in the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

Searches for published literature were conducted across 6 databases on 2 separate search dates (November 25, 2020, and January 27, 2021). Results were screened and extracted by 2 reviewers (DCP and KR) independently, using Covidence. Basic numeric analysis and content analysis were undertaken to present thematically the findings of included studies according to the associated impact on each movement behavior.

RESULTS

A total of 1486 records were extracted from database searches; of those, 150 met inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Of 150 articles, 110 were empirical studies examining physical activity (n = 77), sedentary behavior/screen time (n = 58), and sleep (n = 55). Results consistently reported declines in physical-activity time, increases in screen time and total sedentary behavior, shifts to later bed and wake times, and increases in sleep duration. The reported impacts on movement behaviors were greater for youth than for children.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic is related to changes in the quantity and nature of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep among children and youth. There is an urgent need for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to develop solutions for attenuating adverse changes in physical activity and screen time among children and youth.

Sleep during "lockdown" highlighted the need to rethink the concept of weekend catch-up sleep

Purpose

Many people believe in their ability to sleep for longer time on weekends to make up for sleep lost due to early wakeups on weekdays. This widely held belief was not supported by the simulations of rise- and bedtimes on weekdays and weekends with a sleep–wake regulating model. The simulations suggested the inability to extend sleep on any of two weekend nights and they predicted identical weekend sleep durations for weeks with relatively earlier and relatively later weekday risetimes. By April 2020, about half of the world’s population was under some form of “lockdown” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This “lockdown” provided a new opportunity to demonstrate the predictive power of the sleep–wake regulating models. Therefore, the purpose of this report was to support the prediction of identity of weekend sleep durations after weeks with earlier and later weekday wakeups.

Methods

Weekend and weekday rise- and bedtimes before and during “lockdown” for 31 samples were taken from recent journal publications. Time in bed on weekends and 12 other measures of sleep duration and timing were calculated and simulated.

Results

For only one of 13 measures, weekend time in bed, statistical analysis did not yield a statistically significant difference between the estimates obtained before and during “lockdown”. The model-based simulations pointed to the 0.3-h delay of the sleep–wake cycle in response to the 1-h delay of weekday risetime during “lockdown”.

Conclusion

The model-based prediction was confirmed, thus, highlighting again the necessity to rethink the concept of weekend catch-up sleep.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11325-021-02492-z.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sedentary Time and Behaviour in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the change in sedentary time during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on health outcomes in the general population. One thousand six hundred and one articles published after 2019 were retrieved from five databases, of which 64 and 40 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Studies were grouped according to population: children (<18 years), adults (18–64 years) and older adults (>65 years). Average sedentary time was calculated, with sub-analyses performed by country, behaviour type and health outcomes. Children were most affected, increasing their sedentary time by 159.5 ± 142.6 min day⁻¹, followed by adults (+126.9 ± 42.2 min day⁻¹) and older adults (+46.9 ± 22.0 min day⁻¹). There were no sex differences in any age group. Screen time was the only consistently measured behaviour and accounted for 46.8% and 57.2% of total sedentary time in children and adults, respectively. Increases in sedentary time were negatively correlated with global mental health, depression, anxiety and quality of life, irrespective of age. Whilst lockdown negatively affected all age groups, children were more negatively affected than adults or older adults, highlighting this population as a key intervention target. As lockdowns ease worldwide, strategies should be employed to reduce time spent sedentary. Trial registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020208909).

COVID-19 Impact on Adolescent 24 h Movement Behaviors

This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 24 h movement behaviors of adolescents. This was conducted to capture their evolution from February to December 2020, as well as to explore the use of technology for physical activity purposes by adolescents as a strategy to increase their physical activity during the pandemic. Physical activity, recreational screen time, sleep duration, and sleep quality were self-reported by 2661 adolescents using an online questionnaire. Participants also indicated, in comparison with the previous winter (regular in-class learning), how their different movement behaviors changed during the following 2020 periods: (1) spring (school closures), (2) summer (school break), and (3) autumn (hybrid learning). Finally, information about the use of technology during physical activity was collected. Results show that the 24 h movement behaviors of the participants varied across the different periods, and these variations were consistent with the restrictive measures imposed by the government. It was also observed that the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep duration and quality peaked in autumn. Finally, participants' physical activity levels were associated with the use of physical activity-related tools and applications. In conclusion, the restrictive measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation of the 24 h movement behaviors in adolescents, which has become critical.

Children's screen and problematic media use in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

This mixed methods study examined parent-reported child screen media use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic by examining 2019-2020 changes in parent perceptions of media, screen media use (SMU), and problematic media use (PMU) in children aged 2-13 years (N = 129; 64 boys, 64 girls, 1 nonbinary; 90.7% White, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, 0.8% Black, 8.5% multiethnic; primarily middle-to-high income). Quantitative analyses showed a significant SMU and PMU increase (medium effect size). There was a steeper increase in PMU among school-age (older) children. Together, the qualitative and quantitative results suggest that the PMU and SMU increase were influenced by distal, proximal, and maintaining factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning, child behaviors, other children, parental mediation, and positive media reinforcement.

Effect of COVID-19-Related Home Confinement on Sleep Quality, Screen Time and Physical Activity in Tunisian Boys and Girls: A Survey

COVID-19 home confinement has led to a stressful situation for children around the world and affected their lifestyle. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of these restrictions on sleep quality, screen time (ST) and physical activity (PA) in Tunisian children with a special focus on gender differences. An online survey was launched in April 2020. Questions were presented in a differential format, with expected responses related to "before" and "during" confinement. Participants (52 boys and 48 girls, age: 8.66 ± 3.3 years) responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the digital media use, and the Ricci and Gagnon sedentary behavior questionnaires. Findings revealed that COVID19 home confinement had a negative effect on all the considered parameters (p < 0.05). Significant effects of gender were found on sleep disturbances (p = 0.016, np2 = 0.05), subjective sleep quality (p < 0.01, np2 = 0.07), global score of PSQI (p = 0.01, np2 = 0.01) and nocturnal and global screen time (p < 0.001, np2 = 0.09) with poorer sleep and higher screen time in girls compared to boys during home confinement. A significant correlation was shown between Global ST and PSQI score (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Programs of PA for children and sensitization campaigns against the use of screens have been deemed urgent with special focus oriented to girls.

Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

In March 2020, several countries banned unnecessary outdoor activities during COVID-19, commonly called 'lockdowns. These lockdowns have the potential to impact associated levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Given the numerous health outcomes associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour, the aim of this review was to summarise literature that investigated differences in physical activity and sedentary behaviour before vs during the COVID-19 lockdown.

DESIGN DATA SOURCES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Electronic databases were searched from November 2019 to October 2020 using terms and synonyms relating to physical activity, sedentary behaviour and COVID-19. The coprimary outcomes were changes in physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour captured via device-based measures or self-report tools. Risk of bias was measured using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Sixty six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review (total n=86 981). Changes in physical activity were reported in 64 studies, with the majority of studies reporting decreases in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviours during their respective lockdowns across several populations, including children and patients with a variety of medical conditions.

CONCLUSION

Given the numerous physical and mental benefits of increased physical activity and decreased sedentary behaviour, public health strategies should include the creation and implementation of interventions that promote safe physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour should other lockdowns occur.

COVID-19 pandemic lockdown-induced altered sleep/wake circadian rhythm, health complaints and stress among traffic police personnel in India

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2, capable of high human transmission. To protect against the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization proposed intervening guidance that included movement restrictions, isolation, restriction of national and international travel or movement, and full or partial closure of organizations and institutions. Police personnel play a vital role in safeguarding the spread of COVID-19; thus, potentially causing severe stress due to increased consignment and direct exposure to infection during duty. The study aimed to determine the effect of the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and population lockdown on the sleep/wake 24 h rhythm of traffic police. A concise online questionnaire survey was conducted among the traffic police personnel of India. Collected data were analyzed statistically. Disorientation of working schedule, fear of being vulnerable to disease, pressure of maintaining law, and orders during lockdown increased stress level. The survey identified discontinuation of sleep, shift of mid-sleep time, increase in depression, plus stress and anxiety among traffic police personnel that affected their chronobiological milieu. Proper awareness of adequate health and safety measures, use of personnel protection equipment, regular conversation with family members, and meditation can help reduce stress during this pandemic situation.