Regional differences in access to the outdoors and outdoor play of Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, public health authorities across the country have recommended that Canadians keep their distance, wash their hands, and stay home. To enforce these measures, restrictions on outdoor behaviour have been implemented, limiting access to parks and recreational outdoor spaces. New evidence shows that COVID-19 restrictions are associated with an overall lower amount of time spent in outdoor play among Canadian children and youth. This is concerning, as outdoor play is important for children's physical and mental health and helps provide them with a sense of control during times of uncertainty and stress. As policies on access to the outdoors during the COVID-19 outbreak vary by province, it is possible that policy differences have led to regional differences in changes in outdoor play among children and youth. In this commentary, we examine regional differences in outdoor play among children and youth across Canada, and the association between provincial policies related to COVID-19 and outdoor play. We argue that through the recovery process, in the event of a second wave of infections, and in preparing for future public health challenges, policy decisions should consider ways to preserve outdoor play for Canadian children and youth. Résumé Pour réduire la propagation de la COVID-19, les autorités de santé publique du pays ont recommandé aux Canadiens de garder leurs distances, de se laver les mains et de rester chez eux. Pour faire respecter ces mesures, des restrictions ont été appliquées aux comportements en plein air en limitant l'accès aux parcs et aux espaces récréatifs à l'extérieur. De nouvelles données probantes montrent que les restrictions en lien avec la COVID-19 sont associées à une baisse générale du temps consacré au jeu à l'extérieur par les enfants et les jeunes du Canada. C'est préoccupant, car le jeu à l'extérieur est important pour leur santé physique et mentale et leur donne un sentiment de contrôle en période d'incertitude et de stress. Comme les politiques d'accès à l'extérieur durant l'éclosion de COVID-19 varient d'une province à l'autre, il est possible que différentes politiques aient donné lieu à des écarts régionaux dans l'évolution du jeu à l'extérieur chez les enfants et les jeunes. Dans notre commentaire, nous examinons les différences régionales du jeu à l'extérieur chez les enfants et les jeunes au Canada et l'association entre les politiques provinciales liées à la COVID-19 et le jeu à l'extérieur. Nous faisons valoir que tant durant le processus de reprise qu'en cas de seconde vague

“You Can’t Go to the Park, You Can’t Go Here, You Can’t Go There”: Exploring Parental Experiences of COVID-19 and Its Impact on Their Children’s Movement Behaviours

“…Our findings extend and contextualize findings from Moore et al reflecting a dramatic decline in PA and outdoor play among children [ 3 ]. While our sampling strategy accounted for provincial differences (ON vs. BC) [ 5 ], we could not detect any major differences in parental perceptions besides differences in weather conditions. Families in Ontario discussed the colder conditions and long winter as a major barrier to going outdoors during March and April 2020.…”

“…Research aimed to recruit 15 participants from Toronto, Ontario and 15 participants from Vancouver, British Columbia, for a total of 30 participants; with the option of increasing sample size until data saturation was achieved [ 8 ]. These locations were chosen as regional differences were found in the cross-sectional study [ 5 ] and they were both large cities from where Maru typically recruits. Interactions were limited to emails to invite participation and arrange an interview, the interview, and a follow up email with a $50 e-gift card for participating.…”

“…Mitra and colleagues (2020) identified that children decreased walking/biking and outdoor play after COVID-19 related restrictions were imposed, with children living in neighbourhoods with higher dwelling density and closer to major roads being less likely to increase outdoor activities [ 4 ]. de Lannoy and colleagues (2020) explored regional variations in change in time spent outdoors and in outdoor play [ 5 ]. While there was a decrease overall in all regions, Ontario experienced the greatest decline in children’s time spent outdoors and in outdoor play compared to other provinces.…”

Children’s Independent Mobility and Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study with Families

“…Factors associated with an increase in physical activity during the pandemic were family encouragement, parental engagement, and dog ownership [ 16 ]. Variation in changes to movement behaviours during the pandemic has been attributed to regional difference in public health policies including school, facility and park closures [ 21 , 22 ], neighbourhood environments such as population density and proximity to major roads [ 20 ], and family-level factors such as living in a single-family versus multi-family dwelling [ 16 , 23 ]. Previous qualitative work conducted in urban areas has identified parental stress, uncertainty in navigating pandemic restrictions, and reduced access to green spaces as factors negatively impacting children’s movement behaviours during COVID-19 [ 23 ].…”

Systematic review of the correlates of outdoor play and time among children aged 3-12 years

“…Opportunities for children to engage with outdoor, natural environments may continue to decrease in a constantly evolving socio-environmental world. This prospect became realized with our current experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the mass homeconfinement directives and restrictions on the use of public outdoor spaces are deterring outdoor play among children [16][17][18].…”