Full Citation

Title: Changes to Physical Activity during a Global Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Analysis among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults in the U.S.

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2021

ISBN:

ISSN: 1660-4601

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073674

NSFID:

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PMID:

Abstract: <p>Emerging adults’ lives have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity (PA) behaviors need to be examined to inform interventions and improve health. Responses to the C-EAT (COVID-19 Eating and Activity over Time) survey (N = 720; age = 24.7 ± 2.0 yrs) were analyzed. This mixed-methods study quantitatively examined changes in self-reported PA (hours/week of mild PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and total PA) from 2018 to 2020. Qualitative responses on how COVID-19 impacted PA were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Hours of PA were lower on average for all intensity levels during COVID-19 than in 2018 (p’s &lt; 0.0001). Over half of the sample reported a decrease in MVPA (53.8%) and total PA (55.6%); 42.6% reported a decrease in mild PA. High SES were more likely to report an increase in total PA (p = 0.001) compared to those of lower SES. Most (83.6%) participants perceived that COVID-19 had influenced their PA. The most common explanations were decreased gym access, effects on outdoor PA, and increased dependence on at-home PA. Results suggest that emerging adults would benefit from behavioral interventions and health promotion efforts in response to the pandemic, with a focus on activities that can be easily performed in the home or in safe neighborhood spaces.</p>

Url: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/7/3674

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Authors: Folk, Amanda L.; Wagner, Brooke E.; Hahn, Samantha L.; Larson, Nicole I; Barr-Anderson, Daheia J.; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne

Periodical (Full): International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Issue: 7

Volume: 18

Pages: 3674

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