Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

2.0K

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

Betty Pfefferbaum1, Richard L Van Horn2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 920 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, WP 3217, P.O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK, 73126-0901, USA. Betty-Pfefferbaum@ouhsc.edu.

Current Psychiatry Reports
|September 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Psychology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered children's daily routines and activities.
  • Mass trauma events, like pandemics, disrupt individual, family, and community life, impacting well-being.
  • Understanding these disruptions is crucial for addressing children's health during crises.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine changes in children's physical activity and sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To explore the psychological outcomes associated with these behavioral changes.
  • To highlight the importance of considering children's daily lives and routines during mass trauma.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing research on children's physical activity and sedentary behavior during the pandemic.
  • Analysis of psychological outcomes linked to observed behavioral shifts.
  • Synthesis of findings to understand the broader impact of mass trauma on children's routines.

Main Results:

  • Consistent findings indicate a decrease in physical activity and an increase in sedentary behavior among children.
  • These behavioral changes are associated with various adverse psychological outcomes.
  • Existing research often overemphasizes screen time, neglecting other sedentary behaviors and physical activity contexts.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior during the pandemic negatively impact children's psychological health.
  • There is a need for more comprehensive research on sedentary behaviors beyond screen time.
  • Prioritizing children's daily routines and physical activity is essential for their well-being, especially during crises.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19ChildrenDisastersPhysical activityScreen timeSedentary behavior

More Related Videos

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children07:01

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

8.0K
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity05:59

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity

Published on: March 7, 2019

6.8K

Related Concept Videos

Bullying02:04

Bullying

A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
8.5K
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
204
Lifestyle Factors and Health01:20

Lifestyle Factors and Health

Lifestyle factors play a critical role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. Key elements, such as regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and abstinence from smoking, can significantly enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while reducing the risk of several life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
114
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III01:25

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III

Regular exercise and meditation serve as essential tools in managing stress and promoting physical and mental well-being.
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the...
98
Exercise and Cardiac Output01:17

Exercise and Cardiac Output

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
1.2K
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
161