Parent Perceptions of Changes in Child Physical Activity During COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore parent perceptions of changes in child physical activity during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: The research team used social media, relevant organizations, and neighborhood groups to distribute the survey link in May and June of 2020. Subjects: A convenience sample of parents of children aged 5–12. Measures: Survey to assess parental perceptions of changes in children s physical activity before and during stay-at-home orders, and environmental and social barriers to physical activity. Analysis: Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate comparisons, and multinomial-logistic regression models with covariates of environmental factors, social factors, and frequency of factors as barriers on association with perceived physical activity change. Results: Data from 245 parents were analyzed. A majority (63.7%) of parents reported a decrease in children s physical activity during stay-at-home orders. More parents indicated social barriers (e.g., lack of access to playmates) than environmental barriers (e.g., lack of access to neighborhood play spaces) to children s physical activity. In multivariate analyses, the odds of parents reporting decreased physical activity was greater for those reporting lack of playmates (OR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.99–11.17) and lack of adult supervision (OR = 11.82; 95% CI: 2.48–56.28) as barriers. No environmental barriers were significantly associated with decreased children s physical activity. Conclusion: The unique aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic provide a natural experiment for developing social and environmental strategies to improve children s overall physical activity. Assessing parental perceptions is a way to inform these future efforts.