Levels of Physical Activity before and after California’s COVID-19 Shutdown among a Population-Based Sample of Mothers from Low-income Households

Fred Molitor^1, and Sarah Kehl²

¹Department of Communication Studies, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, California

²CalFresh Healthy Living, California Department of Social Services, Sacramento, California

Cite this paper:
Fred Molitor and Sarah Kehl. Levels of Physical Activity before and after California’s COVID-19 Shutdown among a Population-Based Sample of Mothers from Low-income Households. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2023; 8(1):1-8. doi: 10.12691/jpar-8-1-1

Abstract

We examined changes in levels of physical activity (PA) before versus after California’s COVID-19 shutdown among mothers from low-income households across California. By comparing the same time periods in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 to those in FFYs 2018, 2019, and 2021, we were able to assess whether the changes observed in FFY 2020 were different from those in pre-pandemic years, and the potential longer term impact of COVID-19 on PA. Households with incomes ≤185% of the federal poverty level were randomly selected in FFYs 2018-2021. Within each FFY, cross-sectional interviews were conducted by telephone in English or Spanish. Two outcome variables were examined: minutes of PA per week and whether guidelines of ≥150 minutes of weekly PA were met. Analyses examined these outcomes across and within FFYs by COVID-19 shutdown time periods controlling for race/ethnicity, age, education, and multiple comparisons. Among our analytic sample of 13,267 mothers, 65.2% were Latina, 16.6% were white, and 12.7% were African American. Levels of PA among mothers increased following California’s COVID-19 shutdown. Similar findings were observed within each of the four FFYs for both PA outcomes. We attribute our findings to a seasonal effect, with levels of PA increasing during warmer, post-COVID-19 shutdown months (May through September). We also suggest that the low-income status of our study population may explain why our findings contradict those reported in previous studies. The initial and repeated closure of gyms and fitness centers may have been less disruptive to our samples of mothers, who reported walking at rates higher than the general US population. Mothers may have also been more likely to come from households that received enhanced unemployment or other types of COVID-19 benefits, offering the means and time to continue their pattern of seasonal increases in PA in FFYs 2020 and into 2021.

Keywords:
COVID-19 physical activity low-income mothers SNAP-Ed

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Liu, B., Du, Y., Wu, Y., Snetselaar, L.G., Wallace, R.B. and Bao, W, “Trends in obesity and adiposity measures by race or ethnicity among adults in the United States 2011-18: population based study”, BMJ, 372 (365). March 2021.
[2]	Uzogara, S.G, “Obesity epidemic, medical and quality of life consequences: a review”, International Journal of Public Health Research, 5 (1). 1-12. March 2017.
[3]	Chu, D.T., Minh Nguyet, N.T., Dinh, T.C. et al., “An update on physical health and economic consequences of overweight and obesity”, Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 12 (6). 1095-1100. November 2018.
[4]	He, J., Zhu, Z., Bundy, J.D., Dorans, K.S., Chen, J. and Hamm, L.L, “Trends in cardiovascular risk factors in US adults by race and ethnicity and socioeconomic status, 1999-2018”, Journal of the American Medical Association, 326 (13). October 2021.
[5]	Benusic, M. and Cheskin, L.J., “Obesity prevalence in large US cities: association with socioeconomic indicators, race/ethnicity and physical activity”, Journal of Public Health (Oxf), 43 (1). 148-154. April 2021.
[6]	Naja-Riese, A., Keller, K.J.M., Bruno, P., et al., “The SNAP-Ed evaluation framework: demonstrating the impact of a national framework for obesity prevention in low-income populations”, Translational Behavioral Medicine, 9 (5). 970-979. October 2019.
[7]	US Department of Agriculture. FY 2023 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Plan Guidance. Available from: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FY2023SupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgramEducation PlanGuidanceUpdatedJuly2022.pdf. [October 02, 2022].
[8]	Chin, S.H., Kahathuduwa, C.N. and Binks, M, “Physical activity and obesity: what we know and what we need to know”, Obesity Reviews, 17 (12). 1226-1244. December 2016.
[9]	Katella, K. Our Pandemic Year – A COVID-19 Timeline. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-timeline. [October 9, 2022].
[10]	Ammar, A. et al., “Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on eating behaviour and physical activity: results of the ECLB-COVID19 international online survey’, Nutrients, 12 (6), 1583. May 2020.
[11]	Ding, K., et al., “Physical activity among adults residing in 11 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (13). 7056. July 2021.
[12]	Fearnbach, S.N. et al., “Factors protecting against a decline in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic”, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53 (7). 1391-1399. July 2021.
[13]	Knell, G., Robertson, M.C., Dooley, E.E., Burford, K. and Mendez, K.S, “Health behavior changes during COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent “stay-at-home” orders”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (7). 6268. August 2020.
[14]	Watson, K.B., Whitfield, G.P., Huntzicker, G., Omura, J.D., Ussery, E., Chen, T.J. and Neblett Fanfair, R, “Cross-sectional study of changes in physical activity behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic among US adults”, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18 (91). July 2021.
[15]	Yang, Y. and Koenigstorfer, J, “Determinants of physical activity maintenance during the Covid-19 pandemic: a focus on fitness apps”, Translational Behavioral Medicine, 10 (4). 835-842. August 2020.
[16]	Zhang, X., Oluyomi, A., Woodard, L., Raza, S.A., Adel Fahmideh, M., El-Mubasher, O., Byun, J., Han, Y., Amos, C.I, and Badr H. “Individual-level determinants of lifestyle behavioral changes during COVID-19 lockdown in the United States: results of an online survey”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (8). 4364. April 2021.
[17]	Meyer, J., McDowell, C., Lansing, J., Brower, C., Smith, L., Tully, M. and Herring, M. “Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior in response to COVID-19 and their associations with mental health in 3052 US adults”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (18). 6469. September 2020.
[18]	Dunton, G.F., Wang, S.D., Do, B. and Courtney, J. “Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity locations and behaviors in adults living in the United States”, Preventive Medicine Reports, December 20.
[19]	Coughenour, C., Gakh, M., Pharr, J.R., Bungum, T. and Jalene, S, “Changes in depression and physical activity among college students on a diverse campus after a COVID-19 atay-at-home order”, Journal of Community Health, 46 (4). 758-766. August 2021.
[20]	Joseph, R.P., Pituch, K.A., Guest, M.A., Maxfield, M., Peckham, A., Coon, D.W., Kim, W. and Langer, S.L, “Physical activity among predominantly white middle-aged and older US adults during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: results From a national longitudinal survey”, Frontiers in Public Health. April 2021.
[21]	Lefferts, E.C., Saavedra, J.M., Song, B.K. and Lee, D.C, “Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in older adults”, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11 (6). 1568. March 2022.
[22]	Mel, A. and Stenson, M, “The lingering impact of COVID 19 shutdowns on physical activity habits in the United States”, Physical Activity and Health, 6 (1). 42-54. March 2022.
[23]	O'Connell, S.E., Griffiths, P.L. and Clemes, S.A, “Seasonal variation in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in a sample of UK adults”, Annals of Human Biology, 41 (1). 1-8. Jan-Feb 2014.
[24]	Pivarnik, J.M., Reeves, M.J. and Rafferty, A.P, “Seasonal variation in adult leisure-time physical activity”, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35 (6). 1004-1008. June 2003.
[25]	State of California. Executive Order N-33-20; 2020. Available from: https://covid19.ca.gov/img/N-33-20.pdf. [December 28, 2022].
[26]	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/data_documentation/index.htm. [December 28, 2022].
[27]	State of California, Employment Development Department. Civilian Unemployment Rate for US and California; 2020. Available from: https://data.edd.ca.gov/Labor-Force-and-Unemployment-Rates/Civilian-Unemployment-Rate-for-US-and-California/x7g9-zu4h. [January 16, 2023].
[28]	Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. Governor Newsom Provides Update on California’s Progress Toward Stage 2 Reopening. Available from: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/05/04/governor-newsom-provides-update-on-californias-progress-toward-stage-2-reopening/. [January 10, 2023].
[29]	Reuters. California Shuts Down Businesses, Schools as Coronavirus Outbreak Grows. Available from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/california-shuts-down-businesses-schools-as-coronavirus-outbreak-grows-idUSKCN24E23E. [January 10, 2023].
[30]	Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Available from: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Dimmer-Framework-September_2020.pdf. [January 10, 2023].
[31]	California Department of Public Health. Regional Stay At Home Order 12/03/2020. Available from: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12.3.20-Stay-at-Home-Order-ICU-Scenario.pdf. [January 10, 2023].
[32]	Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. As California Fully Reopens, Governor Newsom Announces Plans to Lift Pandemic Executive Orders. Available from: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/06/11/as-california-fully-reopens-governor-newsom-announces-plans-to-lift-pandemic-executive-orders/ [January 9, 2023].
[33]	Dai, S., Carroll, D.D., Watson, K.B., Paul, P., Carlson, S.A. and Fulton, J.E. “Participation in types of physical activities among US adults--National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006”, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 12 Suppl 1(0 1). S128-40. June 2015.
[34]	Schanzenbach, D.W., Bauer, L. and Nantz, G. Twelve Facts About Food Insecurity and SNAP. The Hamilton Project. Available from: https://www.hamiltonproject.org/assets/files/twelve_facts_about_food_insecurity_and_snap.pdf. [September 18, 2022].
[35]	State of California, Employment Development Department. Federal Unemployment Benefits Available During COVID-19 Pandemic. Available from: https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/unemployment/pdf/unemployment-benefits-chart.pdf. [December 31, 2022].
[36]	Bateman, N. and Ross, M. The Pandemic Hurt Low-Wage Workers The Most – And So Far, The recovery Has Helped Them The Least. Brookings. Available from; https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-pandemic-hurt-low-wage-workers-the-most-and-so-far-the-recovery-has-helped-them-the-least/. [September 18, 2022].
[37]	What is CalFresh? Available from: https://ehsd.org/benefits/calfresh-formerly-known-as-food-stamps/. [January 19, 2023].
[38]	Pandemic Oversight. Three Rounds of Stimulus Checks. See How Many Went Out And For How Much. Available from: https://www.pandemicoversight.gov/data-interactive-tools/data-stories/three-rounds-stimulus-checks-see-how-many-went-out-and-how-much. [January 19, 2023].
[39]	State of California. Franchise Tax Board. Golden State Stimulus I. Available from: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-i.html. [January 19, 2023].
[40]	State of California. Franchise Tax Board. Golden State Stimulus II. Available from: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-ii.html.
[41]	Czeisler, M.E. et al., “Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24-30, 2020”, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69 (32). 1049-1057. August 2020.
[42]	Molitor, F., Doerr, C., and Kehl, S. “Unemployment, SNAP enrollment, and food insecurity before and after California’s COVID-19 shutdown”, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53 (12). 1053-1059. December 2021.
[43]	Molitor, F. and Kehl, S. “COVID-19 benefits and dietary behaviors among mothers from low-income, food-insecure households”, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. February 2023.