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Cited by 916Physical Activity and HealthObesity, Physical Activity, DietCOVID-19 and Mental Health

Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in children living in the U.S.

Open access
Dunton, Genevieve F., Do, Bridgette, Wang, Shirlene D.·2020·BMC Public Health
DOI 10.1186/s12889-020-09429-3PMC PMC7472405
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Abstract

Background: COVID-19 restrictions such as the closure of schools and parks, and the cancellation of youth sports and activity classes around the United States may prevent children from achieving recommended levels of physical activity (PA). This study examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on PA and sedentary behavior (SB) in U.S. children. Method: Parents and legal guardians of U.S. children (ages 5–13) were recruited through convenience sampling and completed an online survey between April 25–May 16, 2020. Measures included an assessment of their child’s previous day PA and SB by indicating time spent in 11 common types of PA and 12 common types of SB for children. Parents also reported perceived changes in levels of PA and SB between the pre-COVID-19 (February 2020) and early-COVID-19 (April–May 2020) periods. Additionally, parents reported locations (e.g., home/garage, parks/trails, gyms/fitness centers) where their children had performed PA and their children’s use of remote/streaming services for PA. Results: From parent reports, children (N = 211) (53% female, 13% Hispanic, M age = 8.73 [SD = 2.58] years) represented 35 states and the District of Columbia. The most common physical activities during the early-COVID-19 period were free play/unstructured activity (e.g., running around, tag) (90% of children) and going for a walk (55% of children). Children engaged in about 90 min of school-related sitting and over 8 h of leisure-related sitting a day. Parents of older children (ages 9–13) vs. younger children (ages 5–8) perceived greater decreases in PA and greater increases in SB from the pre- to early-COVID-19 periods. Children were more likely to perform PA at home indoors or on neighborhood streets during the early- vs. pre-COVID-19 periods. About a third of children used remote/streaming services for activity classes and lessons during the early-COVID-19 period. Conclusion: Short-term changes in PA and SB in reaction to COVID-19 may become permanently entrenched, leading to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in children. Programmatic and policy strategies should be geared towards promoting PA and reducing SB over the next 12 months.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This parent-report survey of 211 U.S. children ages 5–13 found perceived declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary behavior during early COVID-19 (April–May 2020), especially among older children. Children spent about 90 min/day in school-related sitting and over 8 h/day in leisure sitting, and physical activity shifted toward home/garage and neighborhood streets.

Key findings

  • Parents perceived children’s PA had decreased and SB had increased: 36% reported their child did much less PA in the past 7 days vs. February 2020, while 11% reported much more PA; 41% reported much more sitting, while 6% reported much less sitting.
  • The most common early-COVID-19 physical activities were free play/unstructured activity (90% of children) and going for a walk (55%). Children averaged 892.0 MET-min of PA, 91.1 min of school-related sitting, 398.5 min of leisure sitting, and 489.4 min of total sitting on the previous day.
  • Parents of older children (ages 9–13) vs. younger children (ages 5–8) were more likely to perceive greater decreases in PA (OR = 2.31, 95% CI [1.34, 3.98]) and greater increases in SB.
  • PA locations changed: likelihood increased at home/garage (OR = 2.49, 95% CI [1.35, 4.60]) and on neighborhood sidewalks/roads (OR = 1.92, 95% CI [1.04, 4.60]), and decreased at parks/trails (OR = 0.47, 95% CI [0.23, 0.97]). During early COVID-19, 10.4% used remote/streaming services for team sports, 28.9% for activity classes/lessons, and 2.4% for health club/gym classes.

Methods

  • Prospective online parent-reported survey; baseline completed April 25–May 16, 2020, using convenience sampling of U.S. parents/legal guardians of children ages 5–13; analytic sample N = 211 from 35 states and the District of Columbia.
  • Measures included previous-day PA (11 types) and SB (12 types), perceived changes from February 2020 to the past 7 days, PA locations, remote/streaming service use, and demographics; MET-minutes were calculated using the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities, and total SB was truncated at 1080 min.
  • Analyses included chi-square and t-tests, multiple linear regression, ordinal logistic regression, generalized estimating equations for within-subject location changes, and logistic regressions for remote/streaming use, with covariates including child ethnicity, parent employment status, parent marital status, and annual household income.

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: parent-report may be less accurate for middle-school children (ages 11–13); comparing early-COVID-19 to February 2020 may introduce reporting error/bias because children were often not in parents’ presence during school hours in February; parents with essential or full-time jobs may not accurately know their children’s activity; parents’ own PA was not assessed; and the sample was mainly highly educated mothers with higher household income and was not representative (13% Hispanic vs. 25% U.S.; 77% non-Hispanic White vs. 50% U.S.; almost one-third resided in California).
  • Evident from the text: the current analyses use only baseline data from a planned follow-up, rely on self-report/recall rather than objective monitor-based activity data, and use convenience sampling, all of which limit causal inference and generalizability.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/s12889-020-09429-3

Cites

37 of 37 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 38 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    About a third of children used remote/streaming services for activity classes and lessons during the early-COVID-19 period.

    “About a third of children used remote/streaming services for activity classes and lessons during the early-COVID-19 period.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Children were more likely to perform physical activity at home indoors or on neighborhood streets during the early- vs. pre-COVID-19 periods.

    “Children were more likely to perform PA at home indoors or on neighborhood streets during the early- vs. pre-COVID-19 periods.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Children engaged in over 8 h of leisure-related sitting per day during the early-COVID-19 period.

    “Children engaged in about 90 min of school-related sitting and over 8 h of leisure-related sitting a day.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Parents of older children (ages 9-13) vs. younger children (ages 5-8) perceived greater increases in sedentary behavior from the pre- to early-COVID-19 periods.

    “Parents of older children (ages 9–13) vs. younger children (ages 5–8) perceived greater decreases in PA and greater increases in SB from the pre- to early-COVID-19 periods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Parents of older children (ages 9-13) vs. younger children (ages 5-8) perceived greater decreases in physical activity from the pre- to early-COVID-19 periods.

    “Parents of older children (ages 9–13) vs. younger children (ages 5–8) perceived greater decreases in PA and greater increases in SB from the pre- to early-COVID-19 periods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 24
  • May combine two claims. 25

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Children in the analytic sample (N = 211) represented 35 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

    “From parent reports, children (N = 211) (53% female, 13% Hispanic, Mage = 8.73 [SD = 2.58] years) represented 35 states and the District of Columbia.”
    • Also stated in: § Data availability and demographic characteristics · plain
      “Individuals resided across 35 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The most common physical activities during the early-COVID-19 period were free play/unstructured activity (90% of children) and going for a walk (55% of children).

    “The most common physical activities during the early-COVID-19 period were free play/unstructured activity (e.g., running around, tag) (90% of children) and going for a walk (55% of children).”
    • Also stated in: § Children’s physical activity and sedentary behavior during the early-COVID-19 period · plain
      “The most frequently reported physical activities were free play/unstructured PA (e.g., running around, tag, other active games) and going for a walk.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Over half of the sample reported an annual household income of $95,000 or more.

    “Over half of the sample reported an annual household income of $95,000 or more.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The analytic sample included 211 children; 53% were female, 13% were Hispanic, and mean age was 8.73 (SD = 2.58) years.

    “From parent reports, children (N = 211) (53% female, 13% Hispanic, Mage = 8.73 [SD = 2.58] years) represented 35 states and the District of Columbia.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Parents perceived that children's physical activity had decreased and children's sedentary behavior had increased between the pre-COVID-19 period (February 2020) and the early-COVID-19 period (April-May 2020).

    “Overall, parents perceived children’s PA had decreased whereas children’s SB had increased between the pre-COVID-19 period (February 2020) and the early-COVID-19 period (April – May 2020).”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “Generally, parents perceived children’s PA had decreased whereas children’s SB had increased between the pre-COVID-19 period and the early-COVID-19 period.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Children spent the most time watching television/videos/movies, sitting while hanging out with friends and family in person, doing school-related work, and playing computer or video games.

    “Children spent the most time watching television/videos/ movies, sitting while hanging out with friends and family in person, doing school-related work, and playing computer or video games.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Younger children (ages 5-8) were more likely to participate in free play/unstructured activities as well as biking and scootering/skateboarding/roller skating than older children (ages 9-13).

    “Younger children (ages 5–8) were more likely to participate in free play/unstructured activities as, well as biking and scootering/skateboarding/roller skating than older children (ages 9–13)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    During the early-COVID-19 period, children spent the most sedentary time watching television/videos/movies, sitting while hanging out with friends or family in person, doing school-related work, and playing computer or video games.

    “Of the SB assessed, children spent the most time watching television/videos/movies, sitting while hanging out with friends or family in person, doing school-related work, and playing computer or video games during the early-COVID-19 period.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Girls and older children generally spent more time in these sedentary behaviors than boys and younger children.

    “Girls and older children generally spent more time in these sedentary behaviors than boys and younger children”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Compared with U.S. data, the sample had fewer adults employed full-time (61%); however, employment changes due to COVID-19 have not been accounted for in U.S. demographic data reports.

    “Compared to U.S. data [50], our sample had fewer adults employed full-time (61%); however, employment changes due to COVID-19 have not been accounted for in U.S. demographic data reports.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [50] Families with own children: Employment status of parents by age of youngest child and family type, 2018–2019 annual averages [https://www.bls.gov/news.release/famee.t04.htm] Accessed 18 Aug 2020.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Nearly half of U.S. children and youth between the ages of 6 and 11 years engage in two or more hours of screen time per day, a level greater than recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    “Additionally, nearly half of U.S. children and youth between the ages of 6 and 11 years engage in two or more hours of screen time per day–a level of behavior greater than recommended levels put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics [5].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] Fakhouri TH, Hughes JP, Brody DJ, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Physical activity and screen-time viewing among elementary school–aged children in the United States from 2009 to 2010. JAMA Pediatr. 2013;167(3):223–9. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Short-term changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior in reaction to COVID-19 may become permanently entrenched, leading to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in children.

    “Short-term changes in PA and SB in reaction to COVID-19 may become permanently entrenched, leading to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in children.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Approximately three-quarters of U.S. children and youth between the ages of 6 and 15 years fail to meet the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommendation of at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day.

    “Recent estimates suggest approximately three-quarters of U.S. children and youth between the ages of 6 and 15 years fail to meet the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommendation of at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day [4].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical activity guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2018.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Ordinal logistic regression models adjusted for child ethnicity, parent employment status, parent marital status, and annual household income.

    “To test the second objective, ordinal logistic regression models examined whether child sex and age predicted the likelihood of parents perceiving changes (i.e., much more, somewhat more, about the same, somewhat less, much less) in PA and SB between the pre-COVID-19 period (February 2020) and early-COVID-19 period (April–May 2020) after adjusting for the same demographic covariates listed in the”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The physical activity measure was created for capturing non-school based activities frequently occurring during COVID-19 and was modeled upon the structure and format of previous day physical activity measures used in youth.

    “Parents completed a measure of their child’s previous day PA created for the purposes of capturing non-school based activities frequently occurring during COVID-19, modeled upon the structure and format of previous day PA measures used in youth [26].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [26] Millstein RA, Strobel J, Kerr J, Sallis JF, Norman GJ, Durant N, et al. Home, school, and neighborhood environment factors and youth physical activity. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2011;23(4):487–503. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Logistic regressions for remote/streaming services controlled for the covariates used in the above models.

    “To address the ancillary goal of examining whether the likelihood of children engaging in some vs. none for each of three types of PA remote and streaming services (i.e., team sports, activity classes and lessons, classes offered by gym) also differed by child sex and age group, logistic regressions were conducted controlling for the covariates used in the above models.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Multiple linear regression analyses controlled for child ethnicity, parent employment status, parent marital status, and annual household income.

    “Multiple linear regression analyses further examined whether child sex and age predicted total MET-min, total sitting minutes, minutes of school-related sitting, minutes of sitting for leisure) after controlling for child ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic), parent employment status (works full-time vs. does not work full-time), parent marital status (married vs. not married), and annual house”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Generalized estimating equations included covariates for child ethnicity, parent employment status, parent marital status, and annual household income.

    “The third objective was tested by using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine within-subject changes in the likelihood of children engaging in PA at various locations differed by child sex and age group. The within-subject factor was Time (i.e., pre-COVID-19 vs. early-COVID-19), the between-subject factors were child sex and age group, and covariates included child ethnicity (Hispanic”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The analytic sample size was 211 after exclusions for ineligibility, non-interest, incomplete baseline, and missing physical activity/sedentary behavior data.

    “Thirty-one cases were removed that had not yet completed the baseline survey at the time of data analysis, and 14 participants were missing data on child PA and SB, leaving an analytic sample size of 211.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Additional participants missing demographic variables were retained in the analytic sample and treated with pairwise deletion.

    “Additional participants were missing data on demographic variables, but they were retained in the analytic sample and treated with pairwise deletion.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There may be enormous disparities in access to online/active opportunities based on household financial considerations, digital technology access, house and yard size, and neighborhood safety and traffic volume.

    “However, there may be enormous disparities in access to these opportunities based on household financial considerations, digital technology access, house and yard size, and neighborhood safety and traffic volume [7–11].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [7] Woo BJ, Chang J, Hulse E, Turetsky R, Parkinson K, Rausch J. Zooming towards a telehealth solution for vulnerable children with obesity during COVID-19. Obesity. 2020;28(7):1184-6. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [8] Tandon PS, Zhou C, Sallis JF, Cain KL, Frank LD, Saelens BE. Home environment relationships with children’s physical activity, sedentary time, and screen time by socioeconomic status. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2012;9(1):88. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [9] Ding D, Sallis JF, Kerr J, Lee S, Rosenberg DE. Neighborhood environment and physical activity among youth: a review. Am J Prev Med. 2011;41(4):442–55. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [10] Weir LA, Etelson D, Brand DA. Parents' perceptions of neighborhood safety and children's physical activity. Prev Med. 2006;43(3):212–7. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11] Roemmich JN, Epstein LH, Raja S, Yinw L, Robinson J, Winiewicz D. Association of access to parks and recreational facilities with the physical activity of young children. Prev Med. 2006;43(6):437–41. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Insufficient physical activity and excessive sedentary behavior among children is a significant problem because health behavior patterns in childhood are likely to persist into adulthood and can lead to increased risk for serious health conditions such as overweight/obesity, type II diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in later childhood and adulthood.

    “Insufficient PA and excessive sedentary behavior (SB) among children represents a significant problem because health behavior patterns in childhood are likely to persist into adulthood and can lead to increased risk for a number of serious health conditions (e.g., overweight/obesity, type II diabetes, and metabolic syndrome) in later childhood and adulthood [6].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. Physical activity guidelines advisory committee report. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services; 2008. p. A1–H14.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Children typically engage in lower levels of physical activity and more sedentary time on weekend days as compared to school days.

    “As a result of these policies, children typically engage in lower levels of PA and more sedentary time on weekend days as compared to school days [18, 19].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [18] Rowlands AV, Pilgrim EL, Eston RG. Patterns of habitual activity across weekdays and weekend days in 9–11-year-old children. Prev Med. 2008;46(4):317–24. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [19] Fairclough SJ, Boddy LM, Mackintosh KA, Valencia-Peris A, Ramirez-Rico E. Weekday and weekend sedentary time and physical activity in differentially active children. J Sci Med Sport. 2015;18(4):444–9. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Physical activity typically declines and sedentary behavior increases as children get older.

    “Although PA typically declines and SB increases as children get older [33, 35–38]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [33] Treuth MS, Baggett CD, Pratt CA, Going SB, Elder JP, Charneco EY, et al. A longitudinal study of sedentary behavior and overweight in adolescent girls. Obesity. 2009;17(5):1003–8. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [35] Dalene K, Anderssen S, Andersen L, Steene-Johannessen J, Ekelund U, Hansen B, et al. Secular and longitudinal physical activity changes in population-based samples of children and adolescents. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018;28(1):161–71. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36] Harding SK, Page AS, Falconer C, Cooper AR. Longitudinal changes in sedentary time and physical activity during adolescence. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2015;12(1):44. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [37] Brodersen NH, Steptoe A, Boniface DR, Wardle J. Trends in physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adolescence: ethnic and socioeconomic differences. Br J Sports Med. 2007;41(3):140–4. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [38] Dunton GF, Yang C-H, Zink J, Dzubur E, Belcher BR. Longitudinal changes in Children's accelerometer-derived activity pattern metrics. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019;52(6):1307-13. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Short-term changes in behavior in reaction to COVID-19 may become permanently entrenched, leading to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in children as they get older.

    “Of public health concern is these short-term changes in behavior in reaction to COVID-19 may become permanently entrenched, leading to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in children as they get older.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    A methodological strength of the study was the timeliness of the baseline survey during the early-COVID-19 period.

    “Methodological strengths of the study included the timeliness of the baseline survey during the early-COVID-19 period and wide geographic representation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Parents may be less aware of the amount of time their middle-school children (e.g., ages 11-13) are spending on activities even when both children and parents may be at home together due to the pandemic.

    “However, parents may be less aware of the amount of time their middle-school children (e.g., ages 11–13) are spending on activities even when both children and parents may be at home together due to the pandemic.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    A methodological strength of the study was wide geographic representation.

    “Methodological strengths of the study included the timeliness of the baseline survey during the early-COVID-19 period and wide geographic representation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Asking parents to report on children's physical activity and sedentary behavior was necessary for the youngest children in the sample (e.g., ages 5-7), who may not yet have the reading or cognitive capabilities to reliably report for themselves.

    “Asking parents to report on children’s PA and SB was necessary for the youngest children in the sample (e.g., ages 5–7) who may not yet have the reading or cognitive capabilities to reliably report for themselves.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In 2018, 25% of U.S. children identified as Hispanic while 50% identified as non-Hispanic White, whereas the study sample was 13% Hispanic and 77% non-Hispanic White.

    “In 2018, 25% of U.S. children identified as Hispanic while 50% identified as non-Hispanic White [49] whereas our sample 13% Hispanic and 77% non-Hispanic White.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [49] America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being [https://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/demo.asp] Accessed 18 Aug 2020.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    More people staying at home results in lower traffic volume on city streets and increased space for children's physical activity.

    “More people staying at home results in lower traffic volume on city streets [9] and increased space for children’s PA.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Ding D, Sallis JF, Kerr J, Lee S, Rosenberg DE. Neighborhood environment and physical activity among youth: a review. Am J Prev Med. 2011;41(4):442–55. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Older children may adopt new behavioral habits of physical inactivity during the pandemic that are extremely difficult to change when pandemic-related school closure and organized sports cancellations end.

    “Of great concern is older children may adopt new behavioral habits of physical inactivity during the pandemic that are extremely difficult to change when pandemic-related school closure and organized sports cancellations end.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The survey respondents were mainly more highly educated mothers with higher household income levels.

    “Lastly, the survey respondents were mainly more highly educated mothers with higher household income levels.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The locations of children's physical activity changed drastically between the pre- and early-COVID-19 periods, which may explain the perceived declines in children's physical activity reported by parents.

    “Not surprisingly, the locations of children’s PA changed drastically between the pre- and early-COVID-19 periods, which may explain the perceived declines in children’s PA reported by parents.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Some parents with essential jobs working out of the home and parents who were working full-time at home during the early-COVID-19 period may not have an accurate representation of how much time their children were spending in each type of activity.

    “Also, some parents with essential jobs working out of the home and parents who were working full-time at home during the early-COVID-19 period may not have an accurate representation of how much time their children were spending in each type of activity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Prior to the pandemic, using online technologies to deliver sports training and activity classes had been growing among adults but had been slow to be adopted among children.

    “Prior to the pandemic, using online technologies to deliver sports training and activity classes had been growing among adults [46], but had been slow to be adopted among children [47].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [46] 13 best fitness apps and online training programmes [https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/sports-equipment-accessories/best-online-fitness-services-programmes-apps-a7959351.html] Accessed 28 May 2020.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [47] Global Wellness Institute, Move to be Well: The Global Economy of Physical Activity, 2019.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Parents' levels of physical activity were not assessed, so it cannot be determined how children may be role-modeling their parents.

    “Furthermore, parents’ levels of physical activity were not assessed, so it cannot be determined how children may be role-modeling their parents.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In some cases, cities placed signage on local streets to slow down traffic so pedestrians and bicyclists could use the street to allow for social-distancing.

    “In some cases, cities even placed signage on local streets to slow down traffic, so pedestrians and bicyclists could use the street to allow for social-distancing [44, 45].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [44] City of Pasadena to Implement New Safer Streets Measures [https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-manager/news-releases/city-of-pasadena-to-implement-new-safer-streets-measures/] Accessed 28 May 2020.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [45] Coronavirus: ‘Traffic Calming’ Signs Urge Pasadena Drivers To Slow For Pedestrians During Stay-At-Home Order [https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/04/28/coronavirus-traffic-calming-signs-pasadena-pedestrians-stay-at-home-orders/] Accessed 28 May 2020.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The sample was not geographically equally distributed; almost a third of participants resided in California.

    “The sample was not geographically equally distributed almost a third of participants resided in California.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Overall, results from this study suggest U.S. children performed less physical activity and engaged in more sedentary behavior during the early-COVID-19 period compared with before the pandemic.

    “Overall, results from this study suggest U.S. children performed less PA and engaged in more SB during the early-COVID-19 period as compared to before the pandemic.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
40 of 40

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It is unclear how COVID-19 related closures, cancellations, and restrictions have impacted physical activity participation among U.S. children.

    “It is unclear how COVID-19 related closures, cancellations, and restrictions have impacted PA participation among U.S. children.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    COVID-19 restrictions such as school and park closures and cancellation of youth sports and activity classes may have limited children's ability to engage in sufficient physical activity to maintain health and prevent disease.

    “COVID-19 restrictions such as the closure of schools and parks, and the cancellation of youth sports and activity classes around the United States may prevent children from achieving recommended levels of physical activity (PA).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This project is one of the first known studies to examine the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior among U.S. children.

    “This project is one of the first known studies to examine the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on PA and SB among U.S. children.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    During April–May 2020, the most restrictive COVID-19 policies were in place in the U.S., including closure of primary and secondary schools in all 50 states, cancellation of team sports and activity classes for youth, and closure of public parks and playgrounds.

    “Data were collected during a period of time (April – May 2020) when the most restrictive policies were in place to prevent the spread of the virus, including the closure of primary and secondary schools in all 50 states, the cancellation of team sports and activity classes for youth, and the closure of public parks and playgrounds.”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Two different mean ages are reported for the children

    Minor

    The Results text gives a mean age of 8.71 years, while Table 1 and the abstract give 8.73 years.

  • Female physical-activity odds ratio falls outside its confidence interval

    Minor

    Table 5 reports an odds ratio of 0.068 for females, outside its stated 95% confidence interval of 0.447 to 1.307.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. Physical activity guidelines advisory committee report. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services; 2008. p. A1–H14.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Dunton, G. F., Do, B., & Wang, S. D.
Affiliations
University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Dunton, Genevieve F.
ORCID
Venue
BMC Public Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2020-09-04
Volume
20
Issue
1
Pages
1351-1351
ISSN
1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12889-020-09429-3
PMC
PMC7472405
OpenAlex
W3082635755
Semantic Scholar
4c928c41a71bbe7cadf42a6e5d6b76b1267da710
Cited by
916
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 24 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 108 · 2023: 178 · 2022: 294 · 2021: 241 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 1
FWCI
109.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL119255, U01HL146327)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity, sedentary behavior, children, school closures, free play, home-based physical activity, childhood obesity risk
MeSH terms
COVID-19, Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Pneumonia, Viral, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Exercise, Coronavirus Infections, Sedentary Behavior, Pandemics

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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