Incidences of the pandemic in infants and adolescents: increased screen time and decreased physical activity

Flores-Paredes A.; Inca Huacasi H.H.; Bustinza Choquehuanca S.A.; Mamani Mamani S. · Sportis: Scientific Technical Journal of School Sport, Physical Education and Psychomotricity (2025) · DOI: 10.17979/sportis.2025.11.4.11803

Resumen

The return to the new normality has modified the lifestyles of infants and adolescents worldwide, the school, the family and physical education teachers need to rethink the essential role of massifying physical activity and controlling screen time of students. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic in children and adolescents on the increase of screen time and the decrease of physical activity during the years 2020-2022. Methodology: a systematic review was carried out using the PRISMA protocol and the Pubmed, Scopus and Sciencedirect databases were searched. A total of 14 studies met the final inclusion criteria. The results of this review showed a decrease in physical activity and an exaggerated increase in screen time, in addition to generating other diseases such as sedentary lifestyle, drowsiness, irregular sleep, poor diet, overweight, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Likewise, high levels of physical activity and less time in front of screens were associated as health protectors in infants and adolescents. It is concluded that it is essential to generate joint efforts where policy makers, parents, health professionals, physical education, school administrators and society develop sustainable and operational intervention strategies to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic and thus prevent negative health outcomes in the adult stage of this population.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional del Altiplano