Physical Activity in Children Dropped During the Pandemic

TUESDAY, July 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Children and adolescents globally experienced substantial reductions in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a review published online July 11 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Ross D. Neville, Ph.D., from University College Dublin, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies that used validated measures to document changes in child and adolescent physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed via a random-effects meta-analysis in January 2022.
Based on 22 studies (14,216 participants), the researchers found that the percentage change in the duration of engagement in total daily physical activity from before to during COVID-19 was −20 percent. Changes were larger for higher-intensity activities (−32 percent), which translates to a 17-minute reduction in children's daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels. Samples located at higher latitudes (37 percent) and studies with a longer duration between physical activity assessments (25 percent) showed larger reductions in physical activity.
"Children and adolescents have experienced measurable reductions in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic," the authors write. "Findings underscore the need to provide bolstered access to support and resources related to physical activity to ensure good health and social functioning among children and adolescents during pandemic recovery efforts."
Related Posts
Merck to Ask FDA for Emergency Approval of Its New Antiviral Pill for COVID
FRIDAY, Oct. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co....
La tendencia anti-vacunas podría perjudicar a los perros mascota, con la mitad de los dueños en contra de la inmunización
JUEVES, 7 de septiembre de 2023 (Noticias de HealthDay) — Algunas personas...
Medicare Will Cover New Class of Alzheimer’s Drugs if Fully Approved by FDA, With Limits
FRIDAY, June 2, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Medicare will soon cover a new class of...