Under-fives adversely impacted by Covid-19 pandemic, study shows
Nina Jacobs
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Children in the early years have experienced adverse impacts on their physical health and wellbeing as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report shows.
The latest findings, released by the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), reveal the negative impact of measures such as lockdowns and the closure of services across a range of physical development domains for those children aged 0 to 5 years old.
The charity says many of the trends and impacts of the pandemic highlighted by its investigation could harm the health of a generation of young children.
It examined the impact of Covid-19 on areas such as physical activity, food insecurity, breastfeeding, oral health, immunisations and sleep.
The EIF says its review found relatively little evidence specifically examining the impact of the pandemic on children aged 0 to 5, with much of it focused on older children and conducted outside of the UK.
As a result, this evidence will have had similar but not identical impacts, the charity explains.
However, its report, Growing up in the Covid-19 pandemic: an evidence review of the impact of pandemic life on physical development in the early years, is thought to be the first of its kind to examine emerging evidence for this age range of children.
It draws from studies published since the start of the pandemic in January 2020 to April 2021.
Among its key findings were decreases in physical activity, a worsening of food security, a decline in oral health and evidence to suggest routine vaccinations for infants saw a significant reduction due to the pandemic.
While there was no UK evidence for the impact on physical activity for under fives, most studies of older children or research from other countries reveal a decrease both in activity and positive attitudes towards exercise due to Covid-19.
The charity says vulnerable children in particular are at greater risk of adverse physical development outcomes as a result of the pandemic.
Again, while no national evidence has been identified for vulnerable children aged 0 to 5, international studies and those of older children suggest that those from low income and minority ethic backgrounds, as well as those with neurodevelopmental conditions, had seen reductions in activity levels.
Additional risk factors were identified which included children with limited outdoor space to play, such as those children living in tower blocks and whose parents worked from home.
In terms of food security, those children in the UK and globally that accessed free school meals and were from low-income households were at greater risk of food insecurity during the pandemic.
Similarly, the report highlights challenges in maintaining breastfeeding among women from minority ethnic groups, those with suspected Covid-19 and mothers with worsening perinatal mental health.
Furthermore, comparative evidence from other countries showed children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those with neurodevelopmental conditions, were at risk of reduced sleep duration during the pandemic.
Dr Jo Casebourne, EIF chief executive, said the findings of the report showed the wide-ranging impact of the pandemic on young children that were in a vital stage of their development.
“Evidence suggests there have been decreases in physical activity and increases in screen time, as well as poorer diet and changes in sleep patterns.
“For many of these trends, the behaviour changes that the pandemic has caused could have a serious and long-term impact on an entire generation,” she said.
The Early Years Alliance said it was concerned about the extent to which children’s physical development had been affected by the pandemic.
Neil Leitch, the alliance’s chief executive officer, said more research was needed into the impact of lockdowns on children’s early years.
“Practitioners have been reporting notable differences in children’s physical development since reopening their settings last year, especially in urban areas where homes are often smaller and there are fewer opportunities to play outside,” he said.
