Effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity and sedentary behaviors in French children and adolescents: New results from the ONAPS national survey

Abstract

Introduction In France March 14, 2020 a national lockdown was imposed in France for 55 days to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 and all schools were closed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of home confinement as a result of lockdown on the activity (physical activity and sedentary behaviors), and their determinants, on French children (6-10 years) and adolescents (11-17 years). Methods The National Observatory for Physical Activity and Sedentary behaviors launched an online survey from April 1 st , to May 6 th , 2020 using popular social networks and websites. It compared the level of physical activity (PA), sitting and screen time before and during the lockdown and identified the impact of the initial PA (active vs. inactive), sedentary (high vs. low) profiles of the participants and the housing conditions. Results 6,491 children were included in this study. Initially active children and adolescents decreased their PA more than those initially inactive (p>0.001), while those who met the sitting time recommendations increased more their sitting time during lockdown (p<0.001). The same applies to screen time (p<0.001). Live in urban was associated with a decrease of PA (p<0.001), an increase of their sitting time (p<0.001) and children's screen time (p=0.002) during lockdown. Conclusion This study showed the deleterious effects of confinement caused by lockdown on physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Housing conditions were associated with lifestyle behaviors over this period of lockdown. Future public health policies should consider these results.

France’s 2020 Report Card on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Children and Youth: Results and Progression

“…The Figure 2 illustrates these changes among children and adolescents 6 to 17 years old who were initially active and inactive. Concerning screen time, 62% of 6-10 year old children and 68.9% of adolescents experienced an increase in exposure to screens 38 .…”

Young children's screen time during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 12 countries

“…Canada 5-to 11-years 95% of children not meeting guidelines for physical activity due to sedentary behaviour including screen time (Moore et al, 2020) China 6-to 17-years 30 hours more screen time per week (Xiang et al, 2020) France 6-to 10-years 62% of children had increased screen time (Chambonniere et al, 2021) (Pagani et al, 2013). On the other hand, a recent meta-analysis found that while increased screen time was associated with lower language skills, quality screen time (educational programs) and caregiver scaffolding during screen time was associated with stronger language skills in children under twelve years of age (Madigan et al, 2019).…”

An Impact of first COVID lockdown on physical and mental health along with the quality of life in Adults belonging to Maharashtra state

“…The negative effects of lockdown on physical activity and sedentary attitudes were linked to changes in lifestyle behaviours during the lockdown era, according to this report. These indings should be taken into account in future public health policies (Chambonniere et al, 2021). As a result, the lockdown time is strongly linked to a decrease in overall physical activity.…”