Nursery World - New research illustrates the negative impact of the pandemic on young children

The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened food insecurity among families, children’s physical activity levels have declined, and fewer infants have received their routine vaccinations.

Having inadequate space to play at home was associated with a decline in children's physical activity levels PHOTO Adobe Stock

The research review by the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) analyses existing studies, carried out in the UK and across the world, looking at the impact Covid-19 has had on children from birth to five, focusing on physical activity levels, food security and diet, oral health and breastfeeding rates.

It finds:

'Behaviour changes can be hard to reverse and have a knock-on impact'

Dr Jo Casebourne, chief executive of the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), said, ‘The findings of this report illustrate the wide-ranging impact that the Covid pandemic has had on young children, who are in a vital stage of their development.

‘Behaviour changes such as decreases in physical activity and a poorer diet can be hard to reverse and can have knock-on impacts on everything from obesity and diabetes to oral health and cognitive development. Unfortunately, as is too often the case, emerging evidence suggests the highest price will be paid by minority ethnic and poorer children.

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