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<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Over the past decades, children have been increasingly using screen devices, while at the same time their sleep duration has decreased. Both behaviors have been associated with excess weight, and it is possible they act as mutually reinforcing behaviors for weight gain. The aim of the study was to explore independent, prospective associations of screen time and sleep duration with incident overweight in a sample of European children. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data from 4,285 children of the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort who were followed up from 2009/2010 to 2013/2014 were analyzed. Hours per day of screen time and of sleep duration were reported by parents at baseline. Logistic regression analyses were carried out in separate and mutually adjusted models controlled for sex, age, European country region, parental level of education, and baseline BMI <i>z</i>-scores. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among normal weight children at baseline (<i>N</i> = 3,734), separate models suggest that every hour increase in screen time and every hour decrease in sleep duration were associated with higher odds of the child becoming overweight or obese at follow-up (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.32 and OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05–1.43, respectively). In the mutually adjusted model, both associations were attenuated slightly ( screen time OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.99–1.28; sleep duration OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.40), being consistently somewhat stronger for sleep duration. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Both screen time and sleep duration increased the incidence of overweight or obesity by 13–20%. Interventions that include an emphasis on adequate sleep and minimal screen time are needed to establish their causal role in the prevention of overweight and obesity among European children.

Therapeutic engagement with nature can support health and wellbeing among older adults. This may be particularly important to cope with adversities of the COVID-19 pandemic when public health measures have been particularly stringent for individuals in this age group. Utilizing therapeutic landscapes as a conceptual framework, we conducted a secondary thematic analysis of qualitative data to explore older adults' everyday experiences (N=769) with parks and nature during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. The data analyzed is part of the COVID-19 Coping Study baseline survey collected online between April to May 2020. Preliminary findings indicate that participants purposefully engaged with nature and outdoor spaces in diverse ways. This engagement provided opportunities for exercising and maintaining a routine at a safe physical distance from others, which promoted physical and mental health and well-being.

Background In several countries public health efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have included movement restrictions that confine residents to their home or to reduced catchment areas. Household characteristics and assets of nearby spaces may be particularly relevant to support wellbeing and mental health in this context. The aim of this study was to explore wellbeing and mental health associations with factors of the immediate natural and built environment among adults in Ireland during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We did cross-sectional analyses using Irish data from the GreenCOVID study. Participants were recruited online between June and July, 2020, with a convenience sampling approach. All respondents who provided informed consent and data on variables of interest were included in analysis. Wellbeing was assessed with the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, and mental health with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Means and SD were used to describe the perceived importance of views to green and blue spaces and physical access to outdoor spaces (range 0-10). We used χ2 tests and multiple linear regression models to explore associations of wellbeing and mental health with household type, household problems, number of bedrooms, number of co-habitants, spaces enabling physical access to the outdoors, quality of views and views to green spaces from home. Regression models were controlled by age, gender, city versus non-city household location, marital status, and self-perceived health. Findings We included data from 243 participants; mean age was 43 years (SD 16) and most participants were women (n=174 [72%]). Participants perceived that the outdoors helped them cope with restriction measures to a high extent (mean score 8•54 [SD 1•79]; 43% of respondents reported the maximum score), and highly valued views to blue (7•82 [2•45]) and green spaces (8•84 [1•76]). Household problems were significantly associated with lower wellbeing scores (beta=-9•78 [95% CI-15•675 to-3•885]) and increased likelihood of mental disorders (0•583 [0•284 to 0•889]). Interpretation Our findings show high perceived benefits of views to green and blue spaces and access to the outdoors from home during the first wave of COVID-19. Moreover, those living in a household with problems had higher likelihood of poor mental health outcomes. This study highlights the importance of natural and built environment in helping people cope with the negative effects of the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.