Prospective associations between joint categories of physical activity and insomnia symptoms with onset of poor mental health in a population-based cohort

Joint association of sleep duration and physical activity with cognitive performance among Chinese adults: an analysis of nationally representative survey data

Background

Although previous studies have identified that both physical activity and sleep problems are independently associated with decreased risk of cognitive function. However, the joint association of physical activity and sleep duration with cognitive function was rarely studied.

Methods

A total of 21,128 participants who had records from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2018 were included in this study. Linear regression was used to examine the associations of joint between physical activity and sleep duration with cognitive function in the nationally representative survey data.

Results

Compared with individuals reporting 150 min/week or more of activity, those reporting no physical activity had a 116% higher risk of getting lower vocabulary scores (coefficient: -1.16, 95% CI: -1.55 ~ -0.78) and a 61% higher risk of getting lower mathematics scores (coefficient: -0.61, 95% CI: -0.78 ~ -0.44). Compared with those who slept for 7-10 h/day, those who slept more than 10 h/day had the lower vocabulary scores (coefficient: -1.34, 95% CI: -1.86 ~ -0.83) and mathematics scores (coefficient: -0.68, -0.94 ~ -0.42). The results of joint analysis showed that the adjusted coefficient for vocabulary scores were - 2.58 (95% CI, -3.33 ~ -1.82) for individuals reporting no physical activity and sleeping for 10 h/day, and - 1.00 (95% CI, -1.88 ~ -0.12) for individuals reporting more than 150 min/week and sleeping for 10 h/day, compared with those who reported a sleep duration for 7-10 h/day and more than 150 min/week physical activity, Any level of physical activity combined with longer sleep duration (≥10 h/day) was associated with a higher risk of getting low mathematics scores.

Conclusion

Appropriate sleep and sufficient physical activity together may have amplified association on cognitive performance, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle.

Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and low back pain is anxiety-dependent: A prospective cohort study among adults and older adults

To investigate the relationship between low back pain and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among participants with and without self-report anxiety. Participants were 13,080 individuals (86.6% men; 44.7 ± 9.3 years). CRF was quantified as maximal treadmill test duration and was grouped for analysis as low (lowest 20% of treadmill test duration), moderate (middle 40%), and high (upper 40%). Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between low back pain and CRF according to the presence/absence of self-report anxiety. During an average of 5.7 ± 5.1 years of follow-up, 2,965 cases of low back pain were identified. Participants with self-report anxiety and low CRF had 3.7 times (HR: 3.7; 95%CI: 1.7-8.2) more risk for having low back pain when compared with participants with self-report anxiety and high CRF. Additionally, among participants with self-reported anxiety, moderate CRF was associated with an 70% greater risk of having low back pain than those with high CRF (HR: 1.7; 95%CI: 1.1-3.2). For participants without self-reported anxiety, no association was found between the risk of having low back pain and CRF. According to the results identified in the present study, participants with self-reported anxiety who had low and moderate CRF had higher risks of low back pain than those with high CRF.

Changes in physical activity, diet, sleep, and mental well-being when starting university: A qualitative exploration of Australian student experiences

Objective: To explore young adult's experiences of how starting university influenced their physical activity, diet, sleep, and mental well-being, and barriers and enablers to health behavior change. Participants: University students aged 18-25 years. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted in November 2019. Inductive thematic approach was utilized to identify themes. Results: Students (female: n = 13, male: n = 2, other gender identity: n = 1, 21.2 (1.6) years) reported mental well-being, physical activity levels, diet quality and sleep health were negatively affected. Stress, study demands, university timetabling, not prioritizing physical activity, cost and availability of healthy foods, and difficulty falling asleep were key barriers. Health behavior change interventions aiming to support mental well-being need to include both information and support features. Conclusions: There is a significant opportunity to improve the transition to university for young adults. Findings highlight areas to target in future interventions to improve physical activity, diet, and sleep of university students.

Health behavior interventions for university students measuring mental health outcomes: A scoping review

Introduction

Many university students have poor mental health, and co-occurring health risk behaviors. Targeting health behavior change in this population may improve mental health outcomes. This scoping review describes the extent and range of randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating interventions targeting health risk behaviors and measuring a mental health outcome, among university students.

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched for RCTs published until the 18^th May 2021. Eligible RCTs included university students, evaluated interventions that promoted health behavior change (i.e., dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, alcohol and drug use, smoking, and sleep), and measured a mental health-related outcome.

Results

Fifty-nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria that were published from 2000 to 2021, and over half (n = 33) were conducted in the United States. Interventions evaluated within the RCTs (n = 92) predominantly targeted changes to dietary intake (n = 41 interventions), physical activity (n = 39), or alcohol intake (n = 35). Most interventions targeted one (n = 51) or two (n = 27) health behaviors only. Included RCTs considered mental ill health outcomes (n = 24), psychological wellbeing outcomes (n = 20), or both (n = 15).

Discussion

This scoping review identified a moderate volume of experimental research investigating the impact of health behavior interventions on university students' mental health. There is scope for further research examining health behavior interventions targeting university students, particularly interventions taking a multi-behavioral approach.

Physical activity levels associated with insomnia and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Previous evidence suggested that physical activity had beneficial effects on psychopathological symptoms, insomnia, or depressive symptoms in people with schizophrenia. This study investigated the association between physical activity levels and insomnia and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia (CS).

METHODS

179 participants were enrolled. We used the 30-item Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS_-30) to assess the psychopathological symptoms. We used the Insomnia Severity Index scale (ISI) and 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) to evaluate insomnia and depressive symptoms. Daily physical activity time less than 30 min, within 30-60 min, and more than 60 min were defined as physical inactivity, moderate physical activity, and vigorous physical activity, respectively. The Chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Mann-Whitney U-test were applied for categorical, continuous, and non-normal distribution variables, respectively. The Pearson or Spearman's correlation analyses were utilized to examine the association between physical activity levels, ISI total scores, HAMD total scores, and socio-demographic and clinical variables. Finally, socio-demographic variables with a P-value < 0.05 in the comparison between insomnia/depressive group and non-insomnia/depressive group were considered for inclusion in binary logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between physical activity levels and insomnia or depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

The ISI total scores (r = -0.247, P = 0.001) and HAMD total scores (r = -0.312, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with physical activity levels. Logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, higher depressive factor scores, and lower physical activity level were influential factors of insomnia symptoms in CS patients (P < 0.05). In addition, vigorous physical activity (compared with physical inactivity) and higher negative and depressive factor scores were independently associated with depressive symptoms in CS patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Physical activity levels were influential factors in comorbid insomnia and depressive symptoms in CS patients. Given the benefits of physical activity, it should be strengthened as a routine adjunct to clinical treatment or psychiatric care so as to improve the physical and mental health of patients with psychiatric symptoms.