Work

Associations between parental and child physical activity and screen time during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted daily routines but also provided family time opportunities. Our study estimated the associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time (ST) among parent–child dyads early during the first wave of the pandemic. Our secondary analysis included survey data ( n = 329 parent–child dyads) gathered from a random sample of households (Calgary, Canada) between April and June 2020. MVPA, ST, and sociodemographic characteristics of one parent and one child or adolescent (5–17 years) per family were captured. Covariate-adjusted logistic regression models estimated the associations (odds ratios, OR) between parent and child MVPA and ST. The sample included 149 girls and 180 boys (mean age: 10.7, SD 4.0 years). Among parents (mean age: 42.7, SD 8.9 years), 67.2% were female. Parent weekly hours of MVPA were associated with children achieving ≥60 min of MVPA 7 days/week (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09). Parent weekly hours of recreational ST were associated with children being less likely to achieve ≥60 min of MVPA (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99) and more likely to participate in at least one ST activity for ≥2 h day (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.19). During the COVID-19 pandemic, parent movement behaviours remained key correlates of children’s daily MVPA and ST.

Source: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

DOI: 10.1057/s41599-026-06731-0

Authors: Lyah A. Ng, Patricia K. Doyle-Baker, Gavin R. McCormack

Institution: University of Calgary

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,890