ABSTRACT
The objectives of our study were to examine recreational screen time behavior before and 2 years following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and explore whether components of the capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior (COM-B) model would predict changes in this recreational screen time behavior profile over the 2-year period. This cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted in March 2022. Canadian adults (n = 977) completed an online survey that collected demographic information, current screen time behavior, screen time behavior prior to the pandemic, and beliefs about capability, opportunities, and motivation for limiting screen time based on the COM-B model. We found that post-pandemic recreational screen time (3.91 ± 2.85 h/day) was significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (3.47 ± 2.50 h/day, p < 0.01). Three recreational screen time behavior profiles were identified based on the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines: (1) always met screen time guidelines (≤3 h/day) (47.8%; n = 454); (2) increased screen time (10.1%; n = 96); and (3) never met screen time guidelines (42%; n = 399). The overall discriminant function was found to be significant among the groups (Wilks' λ = 0.90; canonical r = 0.31, χ2 = (14) = 95.81, p < 0.001). The group that always met screen time guidelines had the highest levels of automatic motivation, reflective motivation, social opportunity, and psychological capabilities to limit screen time compared to other screen time profile groups. In conclusion, recreational screen time remains elevated post-pandemic. Addressing motivation (automatic and reflective), psychological capabilities, and social opportunities may be critical for future interventions aiming to limit recreational screen time.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Generation Health (GH) is a 10-week family-based lifestyle program designed to promote a healthy lifestyle for families with children who are off the healthy weight trajectory in British Columbia, Canada. GH uses a blended delivery format that involves 10 weekly in-person sessions, and self-guided lessons and activities on a web portal. The blended program was adapted to be delivered virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the effectiveness of the virtual GH program compared with that of the blended GH program remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to (1) compare the effectiveness of the virtual GH program delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic with that of the blended GH program delivered prior to the pandemic for changing child physical activity, sedentary and dietary behaviors, screen time, and parental support-related behaviors for child physical activity and healthy eating, and (2) explore virtual GH program engagement and satisfaction. METHODS: This study used a single-arm pre-post design. The blended GH program (n=102) was delivered from January 2019 to February 2020, and the virtual GH program (n=90) was delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic from April 2020 to March 2021. Families with children aged 8-12 years and considered overweight or obese (BMI ≥85th percentile according to age and sex) were recruited. Participants completed preintervention and postintervention questionnaires to assess the children's physical activity, dietary and sedentary behaviors, and screen time, and the parent's support behaviors. Intervention feedback was obtained by interviews. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the difference between the virtual and blended GH programs over time. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using thematic analyses. RESULTS: Both the virtual and blended GH programs improved children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (F1,380=18.37; P<.001; ηp2=0.07) and reduced screen time (F1,380=9.17; P=.003; ηp2=0.06). However, vegetable intake was significantly greater in the virtual GH group than in the blended GH group at the 10-week follow-up (F1,380=15.19; P<.001; ηp2=0.004). Parents in both groups showed significant improvements in support behaviors for children's physical activity (F1,380=5.55; P=.02; ηp2=0.002) and healthy eating (F1,380=3.91; P<.001; ηp2=0.01), as well as self-regulation of parental support for children's physical activity (F1,380=49.20; P<.001; ηp2=0.16) and healthy eating (F1,380=91.13; P<.001; ηp2=0.28). Families in both groups were satisfied with program delivery. There were no significant differences in attendance for the weekly in-person or group video chat sessions; however, portal usage was significantly greater in the virtual GH group (mean 50, SD 55.82 minutes) than in the blended GH group (mean 17, SD 15.3 minutes; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggested that the virtual GH program was as effective as the blended program for improving child lifestyle behaviors and parental support-related behaviors. The virtual program has the potential to improve the flexibility and scalability of family-based childhood obesity management interventions.