Socio-demographic correlates of health behaviors of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the socio-demographic correlates of health behaviors and their changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A population-based sample of children (3-17 years) was randomly selected between 12/2021 and 06/2022 in Geneva, Switzerland. Parents reported about children's screen time, physical activity, green spaces time, sleep duration, and whether these changed due to the pandemic. Socio-demographic correlates of changes in health behavior and adherence to corresponding recommendations were evaluated. Of 2104 children, approximately 1/3 did not meet screen or physical activity recommendations, 22% did not sleep sufficiently. Older children and girls were less likely to meet behavior recommendations. During the pandemic, physical activity, green spaces time and sleep quality remained unchanged for most children (72.9%, 72.2% and 93.1%, respectively), while 51.9% experienced an increase in screen time. Older age was associated with a worsening of health behaviors, while children from disadvantaged households were more likely to experience any changes, whether positive or negative. Between 20% and 30% of children fail to meet health behavior recommendations. The COVID-19 pandemic possibly exacerbated existing disparities among older and socio-economically disadvantaged children, although positive changes were also reported. Continuous monitoring and targeted interventions are crucial to promoting healthy lifestyles among youth in the post-pandemic period.

Keywords: Adolescents; COVID-19; Children; Green spaces; Health behaviors; Physical activity; Screen time; Sleep duration.

Fig. 1

Predicted proportion of children not meeting health behavior recommendations according to age and parents’ highest education in Geneva, Switzerland, 2022. Results are from generalized estimating equations adjusted for sex (and physical limitations for physical activity), shaded areas correspond to the 95% confidence interval. Analyses performed on complete cases.