Quarantots, quarankids, and quaranteens: how research can contribute to mitigating the deleterious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviours and social inequalities while achieving sustainable change

The adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviours including age-appropriate amounts of physical activity, limited sedentary and screen time, and healthy eating are the foundations for youth development and thriving. In reviewing extant evidence, we observe that the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with marked reductions in physical activity, increased sedentary and screen time, and increased food intake and unhealthy snacking. Deleterious effects in movement behaviours appear to be more pronounced among vulnerable groups and food insecurity has become more widespread. To contribute to mitigating these impacts, we advocate for strengthened evidence-based public health. Towards this end, ongoing surveillance should be intensified and augmented with additional indicators of social inequalities. More importantly, substantial efforts must be devoted to developing, implementing, and evaluating complex interventions aimed at equitably promoting recommended 24-hour movement behaviours and healthy eating guidelines in home, childcare, school, and neighbourhood settings.

Automated summary

The adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors are crucial for youth development. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behavior, and unhealthy eating, particularly among vulnerable groups. To mitigate these impacts, evidence-based public health efforts should be strengthened, and complex interventions should be developed to promote healthy behaviors and eating guidelines.