By Sree Nair, General Member
In Canada, the health and well-being of its youth are profoundly influenced by social determinants, encompassing income, education, employment, housing, and healthcare access. These factors significantly impact marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous communities, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with limited socioeconomic resources, thereby exacerbating health disparities¹. To address these issues, Canada has been actively embracing and striving to implement upstream health initiatives, which delve into the root causes of these disparities.
Recent research has shed light on the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of children and youth, offering invaluable insights into ongoing endeavours to address health inequalities among this demographic. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, Canadian children and adults received guidance to "stay at home" and practice physical distancing when venturing outdoors. During the pandemic, a significant decrease in physical activity levels was noted among children and youths, coupled with a notable increase in sedentary behaviour and screen time ².
This study revealed that during the first wave of the pandemic in spring 2020, many children and youth reported notable alterations in their emotional states³. Specifically, 37.6% divulged experiencing heightened boredom, while 31% expressed increased levels of worry compared to the pre-pandemic era. The study spotlighted modifiable factors encompassing access to friends, indoor and outdoor spaces/places for recreation and physical activity, and maintaining healthy movement behaviours throughout the pandemic with a reduced likelihood of reporting low SWB³.
These revelations carry significant implications for public health policy amid the pandemic, underscoring the importance of social connections and physical activity in promoting mental well-being among young people. As Canada persists in its quest to tackle health disparities and foster the health and well-being of its youth, it becomes increasingly vital to account for the multifaceted impacts of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and leverage research insights to shape policies and initiatives aimed at cultivating healthier, more resilient, and more equitable communities
1. Northcott, A. (2023) Canadian teens still struggling with mental health even as pandemic wanes | CBC newsAlison Northcott, CBCnews. Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canadian-teens-mental-health-1.6759486.
2. Moore S.A.,et.al,. Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on the movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth: A national survey. Int. J. Behav. Nutrition Phys. Activity. 2020;17:85. doi: 10.1186/s12966-020-00987-8.
3. Mitra R, Waygood EOD, Fullan J. Subjective well-being of Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of the social and physical environment and healthy movement behaviours. Prev Med Rep. 2021 May 18;23:101404. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101404. PMID: 34189017; PMCID: PMC8220397.