How the COVID-19 pandemic and related school closures reduce physical activity among children and adolescents in the WHO European Region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ludwig-Walz, Helena; Siemens, Waldemar; Heinisch, Sarah; Dannheim, Indra; Loss, Julika; Bujard, Martin

doi:10.1186/s12966-023-01542-x

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…Furthermore, studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic may promote depression, anxiety symptoms, including children and adolescents ( 31 , 32 ). And all types of physical activity among children and adolescents had a precipitous decline during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 33 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of exercise therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tang,

Chen,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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ObjectiveWith increasing rates of anxiety and depression during COVID-19, exercise treatment has drawn attention for its effects on COVID-19 patients with anxiety and depression. This study set out to assess the impact of exercise therapy on COVID-19 patients’ anxiety and depression.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were used to search articles about exercise therapy as a means of treating anxiety and depression in COVID-19 patients from inception to April 30, 2023. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration bias risk tool. Data were pooled with the random effects model. RevMan version 5.4 was used for the statistical analyses. This work was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42023406439).Selection criteriaRandomized clinical trials (RCTs) of COVID-19 patients with anxiety and depression were included to assess the impact of physical exercise on COVID-19 patients with anxiety and depression.Results6 studies including a total of 461 COVID-19 patients were analyzed in this meta-analysis. Overall, the meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, exercise could significantly improve anxiety (SMD = −0.76; 95%CI: −0.96, −0.55; p < 0.00001), depression level (SMD = −0.39; 95%CI: −0.70, −0.09; p = 0.01), the PHQ-9 score (MD = −1.82; 95%CI: −2.93, −0.71; p = 0.001) and the sleep quality (SMD = −0.73; 95%CI: −1.32, −0.14; p = 0.01) in COVID-19 patients.ConclusionThe research provided evidence that exercise therapy is able to help COVID-19 patients experience less anxiety and depression and have better-quality sleep.Systematic review registrationCRD42023406439.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of exercise therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tang,

Chen,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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“…However, notably, 3.5% of the children attended presential class. Moreover, research shows an increase in mental health symptoms because of school closure (4,5,27). A systematic review and metaanalysis included 868,634 children and adolescents (≤ 19 years) pre-pandemic and 807,480 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety among children a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: a Brazilian cross-sectional online survey

Garcia de Avila,

de Jesus Amorin,

Hamamoto Filho

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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AimThis study seeks to build upon a prior investigation into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety among Brazilian children, along with its associated factors, one year after the commencement of the pandemic.DesignA cross-sectional study.MethodsA survey was conducted from April–May 2021 in Brazil. Children aged 6–12 and their guardians from five Brazilian regions were included. The Children’s Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ; scores 4–12) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; scores 0–10) were used to measure anxiety.ResultsOf the 906 children, 53.3% were girls (average age = 8.79 ± 2.05 years). Mothers responded for 87.1% of the children, and 70.9% were from the Southeast region. Based on a CAQ score of ≥9 and an NRS score of ≥8, the anxiety prevalence was 24.9 and 34.9%, respectively. Using logistic regression, a CAQ ≥9 score was associated with older children and children with chronic disease or disability. An NRS score of ≥8 was associated with reduced family income during the pandemic, the person caring for the children, and with children with chronic disease or disability.ConclusionThese findings suggest the need to implement public health actions aimed at children with chronic diseases and disabilities and their parents to guide them regarding the warning signs and negative emotions. This study contributes to characterizing the evolution of the pandemic in Brazil and provides a basis for comparison with the literature from other countries.

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“…Remarkably, all forms of physical activity experienced a sharp decrease among European children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline was particularly noticeable during school closures and predominantly affected younger schoolchildren and adolescents (Ludwig-Walz et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on child and adolescent active play in Argentina

Tuñón,

Laíño,

Weisstaub

2024

Retos

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Child and adolescent overweight and obesity are a multifactorial pandemic social problem; however, there is consensus on its link with a higher caloric intake than expenditure. In this context, it is relevant to analyze the propensity to insufficient physical activity in childhood, and in particular the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on active play. A comparative analysis of the deficit of active play at a prepandemic time and in the period of exit from the strictest isolation in Argentina (2018; 2020) was conducted with 5479 and 3964 observations, respectively, of children between five and 17 years old. The measurements correspond to the Argentine Social Debt Survey (EDSA for its acronym in Spanish) on a national probability sample. First, a descriptive statistical analysis was performed, followed by a multivariate analysis based on logistic regressions. Active play decreased more among females than males as age and socioeconomic status rose. This decline was prominent among those with less physically active parents, a preference for sedentary screen time, and a lower inclination for structured physical activities. Lockdown measures, particularly in working-class neighbourhoods, appeared to shield children's active play. The pandemic and its restrictions harmed children's well-being through diminished play opportunities, affecting their physical, motor, psychological, and social health. Play is widely recognized as a vital bridge between physical activity and energy expenditure. It notably addresses the rising concern of childhood overweight and obesity. Thus, active play becomes a crucial behavior to promote in all circumstances, aligned with a comprehensive health perspective. Keywords: active play, childhood and adolescence, integral health, obesity, COVID-19

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How the COVID-19 pandemic and related school closures reduce physical activity among children and adolescents in the WHO European Region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 9 publications

References 101 publications

Effects of exercise therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Effects of exercise therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Anxiety among children a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: a Brazilian cross-sectional online survey

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on child and adolescent active play in Argentina

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