Changes in Active Behaviours, Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Physical Fitness in Chilean Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Strategies to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have caused different behavioural modifications in all populations. Therefore, this study aimed to determine changes in active commuting, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), physical fitness, and sedentary time during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chilean parents. Eighty-six fathers (41.30 ± 6.82 years) and 294 mothers (40.68 ± 6.92 years) of children from different schools from Valparaíso, Chile, participated. Inclusion criteria were adults with schoolchildren who were resident in Chile during the research period. Convenience sampling was used as a non-probabilistic sampling technique. Respondents completed a self-reported online survey about active commuting, MVPA, self-perceived physical fitness, and sedentary time July–September 2020 during the first pandemic period. Comparisons between before and during the pandemic were performed using t-tests and covariance analysis (ANCOVA), establishing a significance level at p < 0.05. Most participants stayed at home during the pandemic, whereas active and passive commuting significantly decreased in both fathers and mothers (p < 0.001). MVPA and physical fitness scores reduced considerably (p < 0.05), while sedentary time significantly increased (p < 0.05), independent of the sex of parents and children’s school type. Differences by age groups and the number of children were more heterogeneous, as younger parents showed a larger decrease in MVPA (p < 0.05) and physical fitness score (p < 0.05). Additionally, parents with one child showed a larger decrease in sedentary time (p < 0.05) than those with two or more children. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected healthy behaviours. Hence, health policies should promote more strategies to mitigate the long-term health effects of the pandemic on Chilean parents.

Multiple health risk behaviors, including high consumption of ultra-processed foods and their implications for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…This study revealed a high prevalence of mental disorder symptoms, given the high prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in Brazilian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This prevalence may be explained by the fear of the disease and its implications for health, uncertainties about the spread of the virus and its treatment, the high mortality rates, and the loss of family members and relatives, in addition to the disruption of daily routines and lifestyles marked by the imposition of restrictive measures characterized by social distance ( 8 ), the restriction of physical and in-person trade ( 43 ), the decrease in physical activity during leisure time and the increase in sedentary behavior ( 44 , 45 ), increased alcohol consumption ( 46 , 47 ), a decreased purchase of fresh foods, and increased impulse buying ( 48 ), especially of ready-to-eat foods with high durability ( 49 , 50 ), characterizing health risk behaviors. Studies have shown that engaging in these behaviors, especially those related to comfort, may be a way for people to manage psychological distress and stressful situations ( 51 , 52 ).…”

Factors associated with family function in school children: Case-control study

“…However, we think that the finding is related to the use of free timestamp [ 39 ], together with the fact that sports practice emulates the relational structure of society, especially in collective sports. Similarly, there is evidence that the practice of sports contributes to the improvement of mental health, in this framework better states of mental health allow a better relationship with others and with oneself [ [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] ].…”

Estimated Oxygen Consumption with the Abbreviated Method and Its Association with Vaccination and PCR Tests for COVID-19 from Socio-Demographic, Anthropometric, Lifestyle, and Morbidity Outcomes in Chilean Adults

“…This condition was also described as a limitation in population studies where questionnaires and self-reports have been used [ 51 , 52 ]. However, questionnaires are instruments that have been used frequently to collect information during the pandemic in many places in the world [ 53 , 54 ], including Chile [ 52 , 55 ], to apply as a digital tool in disaster and disease outbreak conditions [ 33 ]. Finally, it should be considered that this was an observational cross-sectional study; thus, the results of the association between the O 2 max/control variables of COVID-19 did not indicate cause and effect, which is supported by other research that has used a cross-sectional design [ 52 , 56 , 57 ].…”