The effect of lockdowns and distant learning on the health-related behaviours of school students in the United Arab Emirates

Background The COVID-19 pandemic began to affect the world in early 2020. As a preventive measure, schools in the UAE adopted remote learning. This study aimed to assess the effects of the lockdown and remote learning on the health-related behaviours of school students in the UAE. Methods A cross-se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC family practice 2022-09, Vol.23 (1), p.1-253, Article 253
Main Authors: Sajwani, Najla Hussain, Qawas, Ahmed, Al Ali, Nouf, Sajwani, Fatma Hussain, Alrustamani, Asma Hamed, Al Maamari, Shamma, Al Mazrouei, Shereena K, Al Shehhi, Budoor, Al Rand, Hussain, Fikri, Asma Mahmoud
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age groups
Children behaviour
Control
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Curricula
Data analysis
Distance education
Distance learning
Eating behavior
Educational aspects
Epidemics
Exercise
Expatriates
Health aspects
Health behavior
Health care industry
Health related habits
Home education
Influence
Obesity
Pandemics
Parents & parenting
Physical activity
Private schools
Public health
School Students
Screen time
Statistical analysis
Students
United Arab Emirates
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Summary:Background The COVID-19 pandemic began to affect the world in early 2020. As a preventive measure, schools in the UAE adopted remote learning. This study aimed to assess the effects of the lockdown and remote learning on the health-related behaviours of school students in the UAE. Methods A cross-sectional study using an online survey comprising 33 questions related to physical activity, eating, sleeping and screen time was answered by the students' parents. Chi-square tests, paired Student's t tests and frequency tables were used for analysis. Results A total of 27,754 responses were received: 46.3% of the parents indicated a significant decrease in physical activity; 44.6% indicated an increase in unhealthy snack consumption; and 51.9% indicated decreased food ordering from restaurants. The percentage of students who slept more than 9 hours and those who slept less than 6 hours increased. Screen time increased significantly for both educational and entertainment purposes (P value < 0.0001). Conclusion The study showed changes in the lifestyle and health-related behaviours of school students as indicated by their parents. Risk factors such as a lack of physical activity, increased food consumption, sleeping and screen time were directly affected. Therefore, it is important to further investigate these changes and their effects to help design targeted health education programs and promotion campaigns. Keywords: COVID-19, School Students, Health related habits, Children behaviour, Physical activity, Screen time
ISSN:2731-4553
2731-4553
1471-2296
DOI:10.1186/s12875-022-01856-y