EFFECTS OF COVD-19 RESTRICTIONS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND HEALTH IN SPANISH SCHOOLCHILDREN

Abstract

Objective. To determine the PA level, weight status, and health and quality of life of children aged 7 to 16 years and to determine the support of families in the promotion of PA during the pandemic. Methods. A total of 325 healthy Andalusian children (155 girls) (age= 9.18 ± 1.42 years) participated. Anthropometric data were recorded and the following questionnaires were used: Sallis' parent support scale, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and the Physical Activity Questionnaire For Children. Results. During the pandemic, 72.6 % of the school children had reduced their level of PA, 58.8 % indicated that in their locality there had been a reduction in the supply of PA and sports and 72.9 % indicated that in their locality sports facilities had been closed. A high time spent using screens was observed (4.68±1.59 hours per day). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 16.2 % and 13.5 % respectively. Discussion. Epidemiological data on the prevalence of pre-pandemic overweight and obesity in Spanish children was between 21.4% and 14.2%, in the current study we found percentages between 16.2% and 13.5% respectively. The mean pre-pandemic PAQ values were 3.54 for boys and 3.31 for girls in Primary Education. These values are higher than those found in the current study. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic in Spain has led to a reduction in the possibilities of performing PA in schoolchildren, which could be the cause of the high use of screens. Despite this obesogenic scenario, the levels of overweight and obesity, cardiometabolic risk and health and quality of life of the children were similar to pre-pandemic references. © 2024 Didactic Asociation Andalucia. All rights reserved.