Associations of Sleep Duration and Screen Time with Incidence of Overweight in European Children : The IDEFICS/I.Family Cohort

Introduction: Over the past decades, children have been increasingly using screen devices, while at the same time their sleep duration has decreased. Both behaviors have been associated with excess weight, and it is possible they act as mutually reinforcing behaviors for weight gain. The aim of the study was to explore independent, prospective associations of screen time and sleep duration with incident overweight in a sample of European children. Methods: Data from 4,285 children of the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort who were followed up from 2009/2010 to 2013/2014 were analyzed. Hours per day of screen time and of sleep duration were reported by parents at baseline. Logistic regression analyses were carried out in separate and mutually adjusted models controlled for sex, age, European country region, parental level of education, and baseline BMI z-scores. Results: Among normal weight children at baseline (N = 3,734), separate models suggest that every hour increase in screen time and every hour decrease in sleep duration were associated with higher odds of the child becoming overweight or obese at follow-up (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02-1.32 and OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05-1.43, respectively). In the mutually adjusted model, both associations were attenuated slightly ( screen time OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.99-1.28; sleep duration OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.40), being consistently somewhat stronger for sleep duration. Discussion/Conclusion: Both screen time and sleep duration increased the incidence of overweight or obesity by 13-20%. Interventions that include an emphasis on adequate sleep and minimal screen time are needed to establish their causal role in the prevention of overweight and obesity among European children.Peer reviewe

Well-being, Interventions and Support during Epidemics (WISE): Protocol for a qualitative longitudinal study of older adults’ experiences during COVID-19

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has the potential to trigger multiple stress domains and lead to long-term repercussions in an individual’s quality of life, health and well-being. Stressors from the pandemic are likely to be experienced in many ways by older adults with heterogeneous life experiences and supports available. In this context, it is necessary to tease out the underlying mechanisms leading to positive and negative well-being and mental health across interdependent individual, social and environmental factors. The aim of the present study is to explore community-dwelling older adults’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on mental health and psychosocial well-being. Methods: An exploratory longitudinal qualitative study will be conducted with data collected through written submissions, sitting interviews and walk along interviews with older adults living in Irish community settings. Data collection will take place 3 to 10 weeks apart to enable the exploration of individuals’ responses to the evolving social, economic and environmental circumstances derived from the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. An iterative thematic analysis will be carried out to identify data themes, linkages, and explanations within a socio-ecological framework. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Research Ethics Committee (REC202011028). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, oral presentations at relevant conferences, and in consultation with Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributors. A lay summary of findings and infographic will be distributed to multiple stakeholders including our PPI panel, older people, caregivers, community organisations, charities and media

Health and wellbeing under COVID-19: The green covid survey

Given the impact of COVID-19 on populations, especially under lockdown conditions, there has been more attention than ever focused on the role of nature, including green and blue spaces, to act as a form of health-enabler across societies. Access to green space, with its potential for physical activity and mental health support has been specifically identified within the literature as an important asset for neighbourhood and citizen health and wellbeing. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have developed as part of their public health strategies, a series of lockdown measures in which citizens have either been confined to home, or at best, a small catchment area immediately surrounding their homes. AS part of a flurry of recent research on such relationships, the GreenCOVID study was carried out by a group of researchers in Spain, the UK and Ireland, all broadly operating to a similar framework and collecting information from the general adult population in each of the three countries. This short commentary introduces the survey alongside preliminary Irish results specifically focused on household characteristics, access to nearby green space as well as a measure of psychological wellbeing

Associations of the natural and built environment with mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19: Irish perspectives from the GreenCOVID study

Background In several countries public health efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have included movement restrictions that confine residents to their home or to reduced catchment areas. Household characteristics and assets of nearby spaces may be particularly relevant to support wellbeing and mental health in this context. The aim of this study was to explore wellbeing and mental health associations with factors of the immediate natural and built environment among adults in Ireland during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Perceptions of Change in the Natural Environment produced by the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic across Three European countries. Results from the GreenCOVID study

Although different studies have evaluated the positive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown mea- sures on reducing noise pollution and traffic levels and improving air quality, how populations have perceived such changes in the natural environment has not been adequately evaluated. The present study provides a more in-depth exploration of human population perception of enhanced natural exposure (to animal life and nature sounds) and reduced harmful exposure (by improved air quality and reduced traffic volume) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The data is drawn from 3,109 unselected adults who participated in the Green COVID survey from April to July 2020 in England, Ireland, and Spain. The findings suggest that the positive impacts to the natural environment as a result of the lockdown have been better received by the population in Spain and Ireland, in comparison to England. Participants who resided in urban areas had better perceived improvements in nature sounds, air quality, and traffic volume compared to those in rural areas. Older pop- ulations and those with lower smoking and alcohol consumption were found to perceive this improvement the most. Furthermore, the greater perception of improvements in environmental elements was also associated with better self-perceived health and improved wellbeing. In the binary logistic regression, living in Ireland or Spain, urban areas, female gender, older age, and good overall wellbeing were associated with a greater perception of improvements in the natural environment, while the factors most associated with a greater perception of reduced harmful exposure were living in Spain, had a good self-perceived health status and older age

Well-being, Interventions and Support during Epidemics (WISE): Protocol for a qualitative longitudinal study of older adults’ experiences during COVID-19

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has the potential to trigger multiple stress domains and lead to long-term repercussions in an individual’s quality of life, health and well-being. Stressors from the pandemic are likely to be experienced in many ways by older adults with heterogeneous life experiences and supports available. In this context, it is necessary to tease out the underlying mechanisms leading to positive and negative well-being and mental health across interdependent individual, social and environmental factors. The aim of the present study is to explore community-dwelling older adults’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on mental health and psychosocial well-being. Methods: An exploratory longitudinal qualitative study will be conducted with data collected through written submissions, sitting interviews and walk along interviews with older adults living in Irish community settings. Data collection will take place 3 to 10 weeks apart to enable the exploration of individuals’ responses to the evolving social, economic and environmental circumstances derived from the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. An iterative thematic analysis will be carried out to identify data themes, linkages, and explanations within a socio-ecological framework. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Research Ethics Committee (REC202011028). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, oral presentations at relevant conferences, and in consultation with Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributors. A lay summary of findings and infographic will be distributed to multiple stakeholders including our PPI panel, older people, caregivers, community organisations, charities and media

Well-being, Interventions and Support during Epidemics (WISE): Protocol for a qualitative longitudinal study of older adults’ experiences during COVID-19

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has the potential to trigger multiple stress domains and lead to long-term repercussions in an individual’s quality of life, health and well-being. Stressors from the pandemic are likely to be experienced in many ways by older adults with heterogeneous life experiences and supports available. In this context, it is necessary to tease out the underlying mechanisms leading to positive and negative well-being and mental health across interdependent individual, social and environmental factors. The aim of the present study is to explore community-dwelling older adults’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on mental health and psychosocial well-being. Methods: An exploratory longitudinal qualitative study will be conducted with data collected through written submissions, sitting interviews and walk along interviews with older adults living in Irish community settings. Data collection will take place 3 to 10 weeks apart to enable the exploration of individuals’ responses to the evolving social, economic and environmental circumstances derived from the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. An iterative thematic analysis will be carried out to identify data themes, linkages, and explanations within a socio-ecological framework. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Research Ethics Committee (REC202011028). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, oral presentations at relevant conferences, and in consultation with Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributors. A lay summary of findings and infographic will be distributed to multiple stakeholders including our PPI panel, older people, caregivers, community organisations, charities and media

“I just can't go back”: Challenging Places for Older Americans since the COVID-19 Pandemic Onset

During the pandemic, many older adults felt ‘out of place’ in their home, work, and community spaces with potentially long-term consequences for health and wellbeing. Using national data from the COVID-19 Coping Study, thematic analysis of online long-answer responses (n = 1171; mean age 68 years; 71% female; 93% non-Hispanic White; 86% with at least a 4-year college degree; data collected April–June 2022) identified four themes regarding why particular places are challenging since the pandemic onset: (1) viral exposure fears, (2) frustrating regulations, (3) uncomfortable and hostile social dynamics, and (4) ‘out of place’ negative emotions. Participants also shared how they continuously address or adapt to place-based challenges through lifestyle adjustments and coping strategies. Novel findings may inform multi-scalar policymaking and interventions to support wellbeing in later life in times of stress and instability

Health and wellbeing under COVID-19: The green covid survey

Given the impact of COVID-19 on populations, especially under lockdown conditions, there has been more attention than ever focused on the role of nature, including green and blue spaces, to act as a form of health-enabler across societies. Access to green space, with its potential for physical activity and mental health support has been specifically identified within the literature as an important asset for neighbourhood and citizen health and wellbeing. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have developed as part of their public health strategies, a series of lockdown measures in which citizens have either been confined to home, or at best, a small catchment area immediately surrounding their homes. AS part of a flurry of recent research on such relationships, the GreenCOVID study was carried out by a group of researchers in Spain, the UK and Ireland, all broadly operating to a similar framework and collecting information from the general adult population in each of the three countries. This short commentary introduces the survey alongside preliminary Irish results specifically focused on household characteristics, access to nearby green space as well as a measure of psychological wellbeing

Associations of the natural and built environment with mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19: Irish perspectives from the GreenCOVID study

Background In several countries public health efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have included movement restrictions that confine residents to their home or to reduced catchment areas. Household characteristics and assets of nearby spaces may be particularly relevant to support wellbeing and mental health in this context. The aim of this study was to explore wellbeing and mental health associations with factors of the immediate natural and built environment among adults in Ireland during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic