Adolescents' Substance Use and Physical Activity Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date: 05/03/2021
Adolescents' Substance Use and Physical Activity Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author(s): Benjamin Chaffee, Jing Cheng, Elizabeth Couch, Kristin Hoeft, and Bonnie Halpern-Felsher

 

Stay-at-home policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic could disrupt adolescents’ substance use and physical activity. This study aimed to compare adolescents’ substance use and physical activity behaviors before and after stay-at-home restrictions. In this cohort, a reduction in e-cigarette use occurred independently of COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions, but persistent cannabis and alcohol use suggest continued need for youth substance use prevention and cessation support. Declining physical activity during the pandemic is a health concern.