Family promotion of children's healthy lifestyles during the COVID‐19 pandemic in light of Saudi Vision 2030

• Published date: 01 October 2022
• Author: Ahmed Hassan Rakha,Adil Abalkhail,Dekheel Mohamed Albahadel
• Date: 01 October 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12701

RESEARCH

Family promotion of children’s healthy lifestyles

during the COVID-19 pandemic in light of Saudi

Vision 2030

Ahmed Hassan Rakha

1,2

|Adil Abalkhail

3

|

Dekheel Mohamed Albahadel

4

1

Department of Physical Education and

Kinesiology, College of Education, Qassim

University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia

2

Department of Curriculum and Teaching

Methods of Physical Education, Faculty of

Physical Education, Port-Said University,

Port-Said, Egypt

3

Department of Public Health, College of

Public Health and Health Informatics, Qassim

University, Bukairiyah, Saudi Arabia

4

Department of Psychology, College of

Education, Qassim University, Buraidah,

Saudi Arabia

Correspondence

Ahmed Hassan Rakha, Department of

Physical Education and Kinesiology, College

of Education, Qassim University, P.O. Box

6666, Buraidah 51452, Saudi Arabia.

Email: a.rakha@qu.edu.sa

Funding information

The authors gratefully acknowledge Qassim

University, represented by the Deanship of

Scientific Research, on the financial support

for this research under the number (coe-2019-

2-2-I-5563) during the academic year 1440 AH

/ 2019AD.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the role of the

family in promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for chil-

dren aged 3–12 years during the COVID-19 pandemic in

the Qassim region in light of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

program.

Background: This study is important in defining the role of

the family in promoting an active lifestyle for children dur-

ing the COVID-19 pandemic because the family is primar-

ily responsible for promoting a healthy lifestyle for

children.

Method: We evaluated responses of 320 parents complet-

ing an online survey about their children’s physical health

during the pandemic.

Results: The results showed a low level of children’s physi-

cal activity and excessive use of electronic devices. Late

bedtimes were evident and defined as midnight or later. As

well, however, families knew the necessary information

about COVID-19 and maintained the children’s preventive

measures. The families were aware of the child’s consump-

tion of a healthy diet. They helped the child complete stud-

ies through distance education. The families supported the

child’s psychological well-being and helped them develop

some entertainment plans.

Conclusions: Although the family plays an important role

in promoting the active and healthy lifestyle of the child,

there is still a need for more awareness regarding the chi-

ld’s practice of physical activity, healthy sleep habits, and

correct use of electronic devices.

Author note All authors contributed to the conceptualization, resources, methodology, materials, analysis, writing, review, andediting.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 9 December 2020Revised: 20 October 2021Accepted: 6 January 2022

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12701

© 2022 National Council on Family Relations.

Family Relations. 2022;71:1385–1407. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare 1385

Implications: Programs should be established to increase

family awareness of the guidelines of the World Health

Organization and the Saudi Ministry of Health regarding

the child’s physical activity, sleep habits, and the use of

electronic devices.

KEYWORDS

coronavirus, diet, physical activity, psychological, sleep quality

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic led to taking preventive health measures worldwide such as isolation,

quarantine, and social separation. The Saudi government has promoted these preventive mea-

sures to reduce the spread of the virus. The most important measures are the suspension of stud-

ies in schools and universities, partial and/or complete curfews, suspension of sporting activity,

and the closure of government and private sports centers and parks. These measures have all

significantly changed the usual daily lifestyle.

The family is the building block of society, the primary provider of their needs, and the pro-

tective shield for society to confront various challenges. The most important role is maintaining

an active and healthy lifestyle as a mechanism to overcome the stress of daily life resulting from

a lack of movement due to quarantine and social separation and the accompanying adverse

health effects and psychological damage. Maintaining correct sleeping habits, the proper use of

electronic devices, and continued teaching and learning through official and unofficial channels

is important.

Children’s healthy development keeps the community healthy and prosperous. Unhealthy

lifestyles contribute to children’s increased risk of chronic diseases, low educational attainment,

unemployment, and reduced income level. These impacts directly and indirectly affect health

and well-being. Therefore, it is critical to develop public health and social challenges that

improve the lives of children, families, and societies. (Merrick et al., 2019; Schreier et al., 2019).

Prior work by Stuntz and Weiss (2010) and Howie et al. (2020) emphasized the need for the

family to provide positive social support that improves the motivation of children and young

people to maintain physical activity; thus, the physical, social, and psychological health benefits

are granted by this participation. This support is not limited to simply providing children with

information about the benefits, frequency, and duration of physical activity, but rather working

to make changes in the family’s lifestyle to support the motives of physical activity and their

positive behavior.

The Iberoamerican Nutrition Foundation (FINUT) has designed a 3D pyramid as a new

strategy to sustain and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. The three faces include (1) food-based

guidelines and healthy eating habits that are environmentally sustainable; (2) recommendations

for physical activity (PA), rest, education, and social and cultural issues; and (3) guidelines for

education and hygiene chosen, which are intended for the general population of all ages and

which serve as a guide for living an active, healthy lifestyle (Gil et al., 2014).

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that early childhood is a period of rapid

physical and cognitive development. Moreover, this time is when the child’s habits are shaped

and adapted to the family lifestyle in which he or she lives. Accordingly, the WHO has devel-

oped guidelines on PA, sedentary behavior, and sleep for children under 5years of age

(WHO, 2019). The vibrant society axis of the Saudi Vision 2030 aims to build a productive and

robust community. Hence, the Ministries of Health and Education launched the initiative

“Agility,”which aims to raise awareness of active lifestyles while also creating a database to

provide a supportive environment, and activate laws and regulations related to a healthy diet,

1386 FAMILY RELATIONS