Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on 24-hour movement behaviors among preschoolers from Brazil

Healthy habits during early childhood are essential for a healthy adolescence and adulthood. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of children who met the 24-h movement behavior (physical activity [PA], sedentary behavior, and sleep) guidelines was low worldwide. Despite a lack of evidence, the restriction measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic are claimed to have further reduced the number, especially among preschoolers. Thus, this study was designed to compare the time spent on movement behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in low-income preschoolers from the Northeast Region of Brazil. Forty mothers provided data on their preschoolers’ sleep, sedentary behavior, and outdoor and indoor PA. To compare indoor and outdoor PA, sleep duration, and sedentary time during the weekdays and weekends, before and during the pandemic, generalized estimation equations were used. During the weekdays, a significant increase in sleep duration (553.7 vs. 627.0; p < 0.01) and sedentary times (225.0 vs. 409.5; p < 0.01) were observed. Further, an increase in the sedentary time during the weekend (319.5 vs. 406.5; p < 0.01) and the total time between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods (249.0 vs. 409.5; p < 0.01) was observed. Our findings also unveiled that preschoolers were seven times more likely to be active outdoors for an hour or more before than during the pandemic (OR = 6.55; 95% CI = 2.07 - 20.73). In summary, the pandemic has altered preschoolers’ routines, leading to changes in their health behaviors over time.