Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Emotional Well-Being during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in China

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 17; no. 14; p. 5170
• Main Authors: Qin, Fei, Song, Yiqing, Nassis, George P, Zhao, Lina, Dong, Yanan, Zhao, Cuicui, Feng, Yiwei, Zhao, Jiexiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 17.07.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adults; Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Betacoronavirus - isolation & purification; China - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - psychology; Coronavirus Infections - virology; Coronaviruses; Correlation coefficient; Correlation coefficients; COVID-19; Data processing; Disease Outbreaks; Disease transmission; Emotions; Epidemics; Exercise; Female; Health risks; Humans; Lifestyles; Male; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Outbreaks; Outdoor activities; Pandemics; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - psychology; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Population; Provinces; Quarantine; Questionnaires; Sample size; SARS-CoV-2; Screen Time; Sedentary Behavior; Statistical analysis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Variance analysis; Viral diseases; Womens health; Young Adult; Young adults; China; Tibet; Beijing China; COVID-19; lockdown; psychological impact; sedentary lifestyle; screen time; physical activity
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145170

We aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lock down on lifestyle in China during the initial stage of the pandemic. A questionnaire was distributed to Chinese adults living in 31 provinces of China via the internet using a snowball sampling strategy. Information on 7-day physical activity recall, screen time, and emotional state were collected between January 24 and February 2, 2020. ANOVA, χ² test, and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis. 12,107 participants aged 18-80 years were included. During the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, nearly 60% of Chinese adults had inadequate physical activity (95% CI 56.6%-58.3%), which was more than twice the global prevalence (27.5%, 25.0%-32.2%). Their mean screen time was more than 4 hours per day while staying at home (261.3 ± 189.8 min per day), and the longest screen time was found in young adults (305.6 ± 217.5 min per day). We found a positive and significant correlation between provincial proportions of confirmed COVID-19 cases and negative affect scores (r = 0.501, = 0.004). Individuals with vigorous physical activity appeared to have a better emotional state and less screen time than those with light physical activity. During this nationwide lockdown, more than half of Chinese adults temporarily adopted a sedentary lifestyle with insufficient physical activity, more screen time, and poor emotional state, which may carry considerable health risks. Promotion of home-based self-exercise can potentially help improve health and wellness.