Increased Gaming During COVID-19 Predicts Physical Inactivity Among Youth in Norway—A Two-Wave Longitudinal Cohort Study

Frontiers in Public Health

article

Ellen Haug¹  Silje Mæland³  Stine Lehmann¹  Ragnhild Bjørknes¹  Lars Thore Fadnes³  Gro Mjeldheim Sandal⁵  Jens Christoffer Skogen⁶ 

[1] Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology, The University of Bergen;Department of Teacher Education, NLA University College;Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen;Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital;Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, The University of Bergen;Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health;Alcohol and Drug Research Western Norway, Stavanger University Hospital;Centre for Evaluation of Public Health Measures, Norwegian Institute of Public Health

关键词: gaming;    inactivity;    COVID-19;    youth;    two-wave study;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2022.812932

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Background A concern for the COVID-19 measures and the potential long-term consequences the measures may have on physical inactivity and gaming among youth. Objectives Examine the stability and change in internet and offline gaming and the association with physical inactivity among adolescents in Norway during the pandemic. Methods A total of 2940 youth (58% girls) aged 12–19 years participated in an online longitudinal two-wave survey during the first Norwegian national lockdown in April 2020 (t1) and in December 2020 (t2). Gaming behavior and physical activity status were assessed at both time points. Age, gender, and socioeconomic status were included as covariates. Results Among boys, 41% reported gaming a lot more and 35% a little more at t1 compared to before the national lockdown. The corresponding numbers for girls were 14 and 23%, respectively. In fully adjusted analysis, a pattern of increased gaming at t1 followed by an additional increase in gaming reported at t2 was associated with physical inactivity at t1 (OR = 2.10, p < 0.01) and t2 (OR = 2.45, p < 0.001). Participants gaming more at t1 followed by a reduction at t2 had higher odds of inactivity at t1 (OR = 1.88, p < 0.01). Youth reporting no gaming at t1 had lower odds for inactivity at this time point (OR = 0.67, p < 0.05). Conclusions Increased gaming among many youths and a relationship with physical inactivity was observed during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. To counteract the negative long-term impacts of COVID-19 restrictions, public health initiatives should emphasize the facilitation of physical activity in youth and develop effective strategies to prevent problematic gaming.

【 授权许可】

CC BY