Jeanette M Garcia1, Shawn Lawrence2, Keith Brazendale3, Nicholas Leahy4, David Fukuda4. 1. Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA. Electronic address: Jeanette.garcia@ucf.edu. 2. School of Social Work, College of Community Innovation, and Education, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA. 3. Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA. 4. School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect health behaviors in youth, especially youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to examine changes in physical activity, screen-time, and sleep in adolescents with ASD due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Nine adolescents with ASD completed surveys measuring physical activity, screen-time, and sleep duration prior to and during the pandemic. RESULTS: A significant decrease in days of physical activity (4.17 vs 2.27; p = 0.0006), and a significant increase in hours of both weekday (3.69 vs 6.25; p = 0.007) and weekend screen-time (5.94 vs. 7.39; p = 0.004) was observed during the pandemic. No changes regarding sleep duration was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, results suggest that physical activity and screen-time may be negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in youth with ASD. The development of interventions to promote health behaviors in ASD populations during long periods of less-structured time (quarantine) should be considered.
BACKGROUND: There is concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect health behaviors in youth, especially youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to examine changes in physical activity, screen-time, and sleep in adolescents with ASD due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Nine adolescents with ASD completed surveys measuring physical activity, screen-time, and sleep duration prior to and during the pandemic. RESULTS: A significant decrease in days of physical activity (4.17 vs 2.27; p = 0.0006), and a significant increase in hours of both weekday (3.69 vs 6.25; p = 0.007) and weekend screen-time (5.94 vs. 7.39; p = 0.004) was observed during the pandemic. No changes regarding sleep duration was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, results suggest that physical activity and screen-time may be negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in youth with ASD. The development of interventions to promote health behaviors in ASD populations during long periods of less-structured time (quarantine) should be considered.
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