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Physical Activity, Screen Time, Sedentary and Sleeping Habits of Polish Preschoolers during the COVID-19 Pandemic and WHO’s Recommendations: An Observational Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Brzęk

    (Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland)

  • Markus Strauss

    (Department of Cardiology I—Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Cardiol, 48149 Muenster, Germany
    Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, 58095 Hagen, Germany)

  • Fabian Sanchis-Gomar

    (Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Roman Leischik

    (Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, 58095 Hagen, Germany)

Abstract

Background: Restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a significant decrease in physical activity, an increase in sedentary behavior, and thus also such things as screen time or a change in health behavior patterns. The survey aimed to compare levels of physical activity, screen time, hours spent sitting and sleeping time among Polish children aged 3–5 years of age before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We identified 3000 respondents under five years of age, at Polish kindergartens. The questionnaire consists of 62 questions according to the recommendations of health behavior in school-aged children. The questionnaire was completed by the parents of these children. Results: Only 30.77% of children complied with WHO criteria before the pandemic. During the pandemic, the percentage of children meeting the recommendations for physical activity decreased even more. Children spent much more time in a sitting position before the restrictions. The children slept as recommended 10–13 h a day, and the pandemic caused an increase in sleep duration of 10–18%. Most children had a limited time allowed for the use of electronic devices already before the pandemic, but during the pandemic the results negatively decreased by 71.54%. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate decreased physical activity and increased screen time. It is also crucial to develop recommendations for prevention management strategies of sedentary lifestyles in the youngest group.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Brzęk & Markus Strauss & Fabian Sanchis-Gomar & Roman Leischik, 2021. "Physical Activity, Screen Time, Sedentary and Sleeping Habits of Polish Preschoolers during the COVID-19 Pandemic and WHO’s Recommendations: An Observational Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11173-:d:663734
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christine Delisle Nyström & Christina Alexandrou & Maria Henström & Ellinor Nilsson & Anthony D. Okely & Serina Wehbe El Masri & Marie Löf, 2020. "International Study of Movement Behaviors in the Early Years (SUNRISE): Results from SUNRISE Sweden’s Pilot and COVID-19 Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Nicolas Aguilar-Farias & Marcelo Toledo-Vargas & Sebastian Miranda-Marquez & Andrea Cortinez-O'Ryan & Carlos Cristi-Montero & Fernando Rodriguez-Rodriguez & Pia Martino-Fuentealba & Anthony D. Okely &, 2020. "Sociodemographic Predictors of Changes in Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep among Toddlers and Preschoolers in Chile during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Adilson Marques & Yolanda Demetriou & Riki Tesler & Élvio R. Gouveia & Miguel Peralta & Margarida Gaspar de Matos, 2019. "Healthy Lifestyle in Children and Adolescents and Its Association with Subjective Health Complaints: Findings from 37 Countries and Regions from the HBSC Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-14, September.
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    2. Shu-Yu Cheng & Hsia-Ling Tai & Tsung-Teng Wang, 2023. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children’s Fundamental Motor Skills: A Study for the Taiwanese Preschoolers Teachers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-12, September.

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