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

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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2025-08-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10190-z
Citations
1
Primary Topic
COVID-19 and Mental Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.31

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article

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

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1 citations
Scientific Reports
COVID-19 and Mental Health
2.31
article

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

Deborah Amrein, Viola Bucolli, Jennifer Villers, Julien Lamour, Livia Boehm, Guillemette Violot, Jessica Rizzo, Paola D’Ippolito, Arnaud Grégoire L’Huillier, Klara Maria Posfay-Barbe, Roxane Dumont, Déborah Rochat, Géraldine Poulain, Rémy Barbe, Claire Semaani, Andrea Loizeau, Antoine Bal, Séverine Harnal, Stéphanie Testini, Clément Graindorge, Vladimir Davidović, Silvia Stringhini, Deborah Urrutia Rivas, Andrew S. Azman, Nick Pullen, Munire Hagose, Nacira El Merjani, Mayssam Nehme, María-Eugenia Zaballa, Charlotte Verolet, Elsa Lorthe, Julie Berthelot, Patrick Bleich, Prune Collombet, Khadija Samir, Natalie Francioli, Gaëlle Bryand, Richard Dubos, Viviane Richard, Idris Guessous, Caroline Pugin, Francesco Pennacchio, Cyril Sahyoun, Aminata Rosalie Bouhet, Shannon Mechoullam, Chantal Martinez
article en
1 citations

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.

Scientific ReportsVol. 15(1)
University of Geneva (CH), Johns Hopkins University (US), Inserm (FR), Université Paris Cité (FR), Sorbonne Paris Cité (FR), British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health (CA), University Hospital of Geneva (CH), Médecins Sans Frontières (CH), Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes (CA), Centre de Recherche Épidémiologie et Statistique (FR), Geneva College (US)
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
COVID-19 and Mental Health
2.31
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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