(CCSP105) IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SCREEN TIME AND BMI AMONG CANADIAN ADULTS

Background: Regular physical activity helps maintain healthy body weight. The COVID-19 pandemic and the public health measures related to COVID-19 may have had an impact on lifestyle behaviours. Greater physical activity is favorable for lower screen time and the prevention of obesity. This study aims 1) to document the evolution of physical activity between 2015 and 2021 in Quebec and in Canada and, 2) to examine associations between physical activity, screen time and body mass index (BMI) during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This analysis is based on adults (≥18 years) from the 2015, 2017 and 2021 Canadian Community Health Survey. Screen time and time spent doing physical activity (recreation, transportation, household or occupation) in a 7 day period were self-reported. Being physically active was defined as self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity ≥150 minutes weekly. We compare physical activity levels from 3 cross-sectional samples collected during 2015-2016 (n=98,041), 2017 (n=102,071) and 2021 (n=44,688). Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported BMI, physical activity, and screen time were tested using logistic regression analyses.

In 2021, Canadian adults, the proportion of physically active adults (≥150 min/week) was 53.7% in Quebec and 55.2% in Canada. In Quebec, there was a decrease of active adults between 2015 and 2021 (57.8 vs. 53.7%, p=0.01). This trend was observed at the Canadian level (59.4 vs. 55.2%, p=0.08). An increase in the proportion of light physical activity level ( < 150 minutes, but more than 0 minute weekly of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) was observed for the same period in Quebec (32.5 vs. 36.3%, p=0.001) as in Canada (30.7 vs. 34.0%, p=0.001). During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the proportion of Canadian adults spending >2 hours daily using screen media was higher among physical inactive (38.1% vs. 12.0, p< 0.0001) than active adults. In Quebec, the proportion of active adults (≥150 min/week) was higher among those with a BMI within normal than in adults with obesity (39.9 vs. 26.4%, p< 0.001). Physical inactive adults who report being active less than once weekly were more likely to be in the obesity category (7.1 vs 12.9%, p=0.006).

Conclusion: This study shows a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and screen time in Quebec as well as in Canada. Also, our findings suggest that being physically active is associated with limited screen time and a healthy weight.