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Review
. 2022 Oct;24(10):493-501.
doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01366-9.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Mental Health

Betty Pfefferbaum  1 , Richard L Van Horn  2
Affiliations
Review

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Mental Health

Betty Pfefferbaum et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This paper examines children's physical activity and sedentary behavior and associated psychological outcomes coincident with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent findings: Generally, the research has found decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior, both of which are associated with various psychological outcomes. The research on sedentary behavior has focused on screen time with minimal consideration of other sedentary behaviors or of specific physical activities or the context in which these behaviors occurred. Changes in children's daily routines and activities have received little attention in the mass trauma research despite the fact that disasters disrupt individual, family, and community life. Thus, the current report contributes to an understanding of the breadth of mass trauma effects, underscores the importance of physical activity and sedentary behavior and their associations with health and psychological outcomes, and is a reminder to consider children's daily lives both during times of crisis and under usual circumstances.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children; Disasters; Physical activity; Screen time; Sedentary behavior.

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Conflict of interest statement

Betty Pfefferbaum and Richard L. Van Horn each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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