Longitudinal assessment of 24-hour movement behaviours and health outcomes in Canadian children and youth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

The Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for children and youth emphasize the importance of physical activity, sleep, and minimal sedentary activity for optimal health and development. Together, these are called 'movement behaviours'. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, public health restrictions prevented children and youth from following structured school routines and participating in extracurriculars. As a result, Canadian children and youth have reported decreased physical activity, disturbed sleep, as well as increased sedentary activity and screen time, raising concerns over childhood obesity and poor mental health. Currently, up-to-date research on Canadian children and youth's movement behaviours and health outcomes is lacking. In this study, I aim to (1) evaluate how 24-hour movement behaviours of children and youth compare before and after the pandemic, and (2) determine the relationship between meeting 24-hour movement guidelines with obesity, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. This study will use national data from the 2019 and 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, which collects information on physical and mental health in ages 1-17. Statistical analyses will compare how movement behaviours of Canadian children and youth have changed throughout the pandemic. Analyses will also investigate how movement behaviours affect the risk of developing obesity, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Findings from this study will be critical in identifying potential long-term health impacts from the pandemic that warrant future research. This study will also shape Canadian school curriculums and public health programming to better support healthy movement behaviours among children and youth.