The Influence of Life Events and Psychological Stress on Objectively Measured Physical Activity: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study

First semester changes in college students' objectively-measured physical activity and dietary behaviors

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine changes in freshman students' objectively measured body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and dietary behaviors (consumption of trans fats, sugars, and added sugars) during their first college semester. Methods: Twenty-eight participants (18.32 ± 2.2) completed the dietary (ASA24-US) and PA (wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer) assessments. Non-parametric Paired-Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to identify the changes in BMI, moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), and nutrition. Results: The analyses showed a statistically significant increase in BMI (Mbaseline = 22.85[2.87] kg/m2; Mpost = 23.53[3.21] kg/m2; p = .002, r = .53) and MVPA (Mbaseline = 200.94[81.08]; Mpost = 216.92[78.33]; p = .031, r = .41), but there were no statistically significant changes in VPA or dietary behaviors. Conclusions: Although freshman students' PA and dietary behaviors were relatively healthy, efforts to increase VPA and reduce consumption of added sugars are well warranted.

Why Do Romantic Relationships Affect Physical Activity? An Analysis of the Time Use of Couples and Singles Over a 3-Day Period

BACKGROUND

Several studies have found that individuals with a partner were less physically active than those without. To better understand the reasons for this association, we examine whether the existence of a relationship or the current presence of a partner influences physical activity (PA).

METHODS

We use data from the most recent German Time Use Survey 2012/13 to examine leisure-time PA. All leisure-time activities reported in the time diaries are classified according to their metabolic equivalent of task (MET) to calculate the mean MET scores. First, we use ordinary least square regressions and logistic regressions to examine the effects of living together with a partner or not on mean daily MET scores and on exercise. Second, we apply person-day fixed effects models to estimate the impact of current partner presence on current PA levels.

RESULTS

Having a partner is negatively associated with exercising but is not correlated with mean leisure-time MET scores for both women and men. For those with a partner, current MET levels are substantially lower when the partner is present than when the partner is absent. When partners spend leisure-time activities apart, their MET levels are higher than those of individuals without a partner.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that it is not the mere existence of a romantic relationship but the current copresence with a partner that affects PA behavior. Therefore, interventions to increase PA may be promising if they can encourage couples to be active together.

Ways into physical (in)activity: The role of critical life events and transitions in the reconstructions of young adults

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA), sport, and exercise levels generally tend to fluctuate or decline from childhood to adulthood. Life events and transitions may have a positive or negative impact on these behaviors. However, most research in this regard is quantitatively framed and we know little about why and how life events and transitions affect PA-related behaviors.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to understand when, why, and how individuals change their daily PA, sport, and exercise behaviors and related attitudes in the context of life events and transitions and what underlying dynamics promote these changes from a subjective perspective.

METHODS

Forty-six young inactive adults (33 women) aged between 20 and 40 years from the iReAct study participated in a mixed-method biographical mapping, which combines a semi-structured interview with a drawing activity to explore subjective experiences of life events, transitions, and PA-related behaviors across the life span. To analyze data, we conducted a reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We developed three overarching themes that reflect the underlying dynamics which are associated with the occurrence of critical life events and transitions and lead to subsequent changes in daily PA and sport and exercise behavior: (1) The finitude of temporal resources; (2) The plasticity of priorities and motives; and (3) The (in)conveniences of context.

CONCLUSION

Our results illustrate that there is not a straight causal link between life events and behavior. Rather, critical life events and transitions can have a tremendous impact on temporal resources, individual priorities and motives, and contextual factors, such as the physical and infrastructural environment and social settings and relationships. Consequently, more or less extensive changes in those circumstances can lead to individual adaptations in daily PA or sport and exercise and related attitudes, as they require individuals to re-balance behavioral patterns.

The Influence of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Social Support Specific to Physical Activity Among Belgian Adults

In Belgium, lockdown measures were taken to counter the spread of COVID-19. This major life-change event may disrupt a person's daily routine and influence health behaviors. Although measures were restrictive, citizens were encouraged to engage in physical activity (PA) behavior in order to maintain well-being. Social support specific to PA (SSPA) had been highlighted as an important psychosocial factor in initiating and/or maintaining active behavior. The main aims of this study were to explore the influence of COVID-19 lockdown on PA and sedentary behavior, and on SSPA from family and from friends; and investigate the potential differences in terms of professional status. An online survey was distributed during the 1st weeks of the lockdown. A total of 272 Belgian adults responded to the survey. The findings show no significant difference between prior to and during lockdown with regard to the amount of PA. The results show a significant increase in sedentary behavior among the entire sample, workers and retirees. The findings also suggest that the support of other individuals is particularly useful for certain population groups such as retirees. Given the importance of the levels of PA and sedentariness as health behaviors preceding a major life-change event such as a lockdown, there is a need to promote these health behaviors during normal life in order for the population to remain active throughout their lifespan.

Where Do Online Games Fit into the Health Behaviour Ecology of Emerging Adults: A Scoping Review

Online video games are a common pastime for emerging adults (EAs). EAs are an age group that is of interest in health communication because habits formed during this life stage can cause or prevent disease later in life. Guided by three research questions, this scoping review identifies the current state of research into socio-ecological influences on physical activity and diet behaviours of EAs. The review also examines the role that online video games play within this behavioural ecology. In total, 112 articles were found that focused on behavioural ecological influences for physical activity and diet behaviour among EAs. Seven of these articles focused on the impact of online video games, although only in conjunction with their influence on physical activity, identifying a gap in understanding the influence of online games on diet. Results show that online video games are currently under-researched in terms of impacts on physical activity and diet despite the prevalence of the use of these games within the EA cohort.

Inconsistent social rhythms are associated with abdominal adiposity after involuntary job loss: An observational study

Objective

Unemployment is an established risk factor for obesity. However, few studies have examined obesity-related health behavior after involuntary job loss specifically. Job loss confers a disruption in daily time structure that could lead to negative metabolic and psychological outcomes through chronobiological mechanisms. This study examines whether individuals with unstable social rhythms after involuntary job loss present with higher abdominal adiposity than individuals with more consistent social rhythms and whether this relationship varies as a function of depressive symptoms.

Methods

Cross-sectional baseline data (n = 191) from the ongoing Assessing Daily Activity Patterns in occupational Transitions (ADAPT) study were analyzed using linear regression techniques. Participants completed the Social Rhythm Metric-17 (SRM) daily over 2 weeks. They also completed the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and participated in standardized waist circumference measurements (cm).

Results

A significant interaction emerged between SRM and BDI-II demonstrating that less consistent social rhythms were associated with larger waist circumference at lower levels of depressive symptoms. Additional exploratory analyses demonstrated a positive association between the number of daily activities performed alone and waist circumference when controlling for symptoms of depression.

Conclusion

These findings are the first to demonstrate a relationship between social rhythm stability and abdominal adiposity in adults who have recently, involuntarily lost their jobs. Results highlight the moderating role of depressive symptoms on daily routine in studies of metabolic health. Future prospective analysis is necessary to examine causal pathways.

Association Between Stressful Life Events and Female Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Their Role in Disease Activity: A Retrospective Case-Control Study in China

PURPOSE

Previous evidence has shown that psychological stress can trigger the onset of autoimmune disease. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of stressful life events preceding the onset of symptoms in female primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) in China compared to controls and the possible associations of stressful life events with disease activity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a hospital-based retrospective case-control study. Sixty-seven consecutive female pSS patients and an equal number of age-matched (± 3 years) healthy controls were recruited for assessment using the related Stressful Life Events Scale. The pSS disease activity was measured by the EULAR Sjogren's syndrome disease activity index. Data were analyzed by SPSS, version 23, using chi-square, univariate logistic regression, multiple logistic regression, and partial correlation.

RESULTS

A higher number of negative stressful life events before disease onset in pSS patients compared with healthy controls suggest that these play a role in increasing the risk of disease occurrence (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.87-3.58, p < 0.05). The number of positive life events did not differ between the two groups. Both the number and severity of the negative stressful life events were also significantly correlated with disease activity.

CONCLUSION

Patients with pSS experienced more negative stressful life events in the year preceding the onset of symptoms than controls. Negative stressful life events before symptom onset may be risk factors for pSS and may affect pSS disease activity.

The impact of life events and transitions on physical activity: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is a fluctuating behavior and prone to change across the life course. Changes in PA may be particularly due to the experience of life events and transitions. For well-timed and successful PA interventions, it is important to understand when and why individuals take up or terminate PA.

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review aims to examine the extent, range, and nature of research on the impact of life events and transitions on PA and to summarize key findings.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Articles were included if they had been published in peer-reviewed journals between 1998 and 2020 and assessed the impact of at least one life event or transition on PA.

RESULTS

107 studies that assessed 72 distinct life events and transitions were included and summarized in ten categories. Events and transitions that are primarily associated with decreases in PA were starting cohabitation, getting married, pregnancy, evolving parenthood, and the transitions from kindergarten to primary school, from primary to secondary school, and from high school to college or into the labor market. Retirement was associated with increases in PA; yet, long-term trajectories across retirement indicated a subsequent drop in activity levels. Divorce was associated with no changes in PA. No trends could be identified for changing work conditions, quitting or losing a job, starting a new relationship, widowhood, moving, and diagnosis of illness.

CONCLUSION

Life events and transitions can be conceptualized as natural interventions that occur across the life course and that are oftentimes associated with changes in PA behavior. Our study indicates that, despite some emerging trends, similar events do not necessarily have similar impacts on PA across individuals. It also shows that the research landscape is characterized by a lack of conceptual clarity and by disparate methodologies, making it difficult to synthesize results across studies.

Changes in physical activity, diet, and body weight across the education and employment transitions of early adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Early adulthood is a time when individuals go through important life transitions, such as moving from high school into higher education or employment, but the impact of these life transitions on changes in body weight, diet, and physical activity is not known. We searched six electronic databases to July 2019 for longitudinal observational studies providing data on adiposity, diet, and/or physical activity across education or employment transitions in young people aged between 15 and 35 years. We found 19 studies, of which 17 assessed changes in physical activity, three body weight, and five diet or eating behaviours. Meta-analysis (n=9) found that leaving high school was associated with a decrease of -7.04 (95% CI, -11.26, -2.82) min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Three studies reported increases in body weight on leaving high school. A small number of studies suggested decreases in diet quality on leaving high school (n=2/4 papers) and leaving university (n=1) but not on starting employment (n=1). Studies suggested no change in physical activity on leaving university (n=4) but decreases in physical activity on starting employment (n=2/3). The transition of leaving high school is an important time to support individuals to prevent decreases in physical activity and gains in body weight.