Abstract
To reduce the negative effects of Corona Virus the Italian government activated a total lock down from March to May 2020. Everyone stayed at home. These three months reduced the pathological effects of Covid_19, but we wonder if there were consequences in physical activity and sedentariness of children from 0 to 12 years and what role adults and the environment played during this period. In 10 regions of northern, central, and southern Italy an online questionnaire has been administered through Survey Monkey platform since March 2020. 184 families of children from 0 to 12 years were interviewed. Three main aspects were investigated, also covered in the recommendations on physical activity and health of the World Health Organization: 1) physical activity of children; 2) time in front of the screen (pc, tablet, TV, cell phone, etc.); 3) duration and quality of sleep. 77,21% of the families declared that their child was moving less and much less; 62,79% said that their child was sitting in front of a screen more and much more; for 44.39% of the parents their son/daughter was sleeping more and much more, during the lockdown and 43.93% stated that their son's sleep was the same as before. Only 11.69% said that their son was sleeping less or much less. The lockdown reduced PA in childhood, especially for females. Parents dedicated more time to their children (74.88%) for sedentary activity even though 54% were engaged in telework. Children with an outdoor space were more active.