scholarly journals Effect of sleep, breakfast and physical activity on test anxiety and psychological distress

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-252
Author(s):  
Nusrat Aziz

Introduction: Student psychological distress, emotional disorders, burnout and suicidal ideation are a bitter reality of our present day competitive educational system. Stress is heightened during examination periods. The essentiality of predictors is to find coping techniques to reduce test anxiety and psychological distress, simultaneously maintaining healthy stress and a healthy body, which is needed to drive performance. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study of female medical students for test anxiety and psychological distress was done on, the effects of sleep the night before examination, breakfast consumption before exam and students involvement with exercise or sports. Westside test anxiety scale and Kessler’s psychological distress K10 scale was used to assess the test anxiety and psychological distress along with self-reporting of breakfast consumption, involvement in exercise or sports and sleep duration in the night before exam. Results: This study shows significant negative correlation of test anxiety and psychological distress with duration of sleep. The mean test anxiety and psychological distress were higher with less sleep but odd ratio was not significant. The odds ratio of high Psychological distress were significantly lesser with physical activity Exp(B) 0.562 (95%CI 0.333, 0.949) and with breakfast consumption Exp(B) 0.456 (95%CI 0.268, 0.777). The odds ratios for high test anxiety with exercise and breakfast consumption are lower but not significant. Conclusion: Educational institutions should teach students on the beneficial effect of sleep, breakfast and exercise to reduce academic stress which can enhance students’ performance.

Author(s):  
Fatima Aslam ◽  
Karimah Hanim Abd Aziz ◽  
Nurjasmine Aida Jamani ◽  
Razman Mohd Rus

Introduction: Co-morbidities such as obesity, gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension during pregnancy can be dangerous to the mother and foetus. Regular physical activity during pregnancy not only maintains maternal and foetal wellbeing, but it also maintains physical fitness and brings various health benefits. However, many women reduce their physical activity levels during pregnancy.Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to identify the barriers that could prevent pregnant mothers from doing physical activities.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 168 pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years between gestational age 12 to 35 weeks in a primary health clinic in Kuantan, Pahang. Their socio-demographic characteristics were recorded, and barriers for physical activity assessed through a set of pre-tested questionnaire.Descriptive statisticswere used to describe the sociodemographiccharacteristics and the barriers.Results: The mean (SD) age was 28.0 (3.6) and majority of them were of Malay ethnicity from B40 group. Two thirds (74.4%) had tertiary education and 66.7% were working mothers. More than half (53.0%) of the participants wereoverweight and obese.Moreover, 58% of the participants had leg cramp and 63.1% felt fatigue. Almost 80.4% had backache and 46.4% had epigastric discomfort.Conclusion: Barriers such as leg cramp, backache, fatigue and epigastric discomfort could prevent pregnant women from conducting physical activities. Opportunistic recommendation by physician and concerns on the physical activity should be addressed.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2021 Page: S23


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
MYH Moosa ◽  
L Chait ◽  
A Cohen ◽  
L Diamond ◽  
J Dunlop ◽  
...  

<p>Given the high incidence of cervical cancer in South Africa and the distress it causes, we aimed to determine the extent of anxiety in patients undergoing colposcopy at Chris Hani Baragwanath (CHB) Hospital, Johannesburg. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Method.</strong> A descriptive and cross-sectional study design was applied on a convenient sample of patients from the waiting area of the colposcopy clinic at CHB Hospital. Females attending a first colposcopy appointment were invited to participate by completing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) after written informed consent had been obtained.</p><p><strong> Results.</strong> Among a total of 31 women, the mean STAI score for state anxiety was 46.77 (SD=12.92) and the mean STAI score for trait anxiety was 46.81 (SD=9.50); 51.6% of the patients had a STAI state anxiety score of &gt;50, while 41.9% of the patients had a STAI trait anxiety score &gt;50. There was no significant association between either elevated STAI state or trait anxiety scores and age group ( χ 2 =1.77; p= 0.18 and χ 2 =0.001; p= 0.98, respectively); marital status ( χ 2 =0.301; p= 0.58 and χ 2 =0.834; p= 0.36); level of education ( χ 2 =0.444; p= 0.51 and χ 2 =2.40; p= 0.12); employment status ( χ 2 =1.78; p= 0.18 and χ 2 =0.001; p= 0.98); monthly income ( χ 2 =1.15; p= 0.28 and χ 2 =0.03; p= 0.86) or using stimulants ( χ 2 =0.416; p= 0.52 and χ 2 =0.394; p= 0.53). There was a significant negative correlation between age and STAI state anxiety scores ( r 2 =0.004; p= 0.017) and a positive correlation between age and STAI trait anxiety scores ( r 2 =0.004; p= 0.019).</p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> This study reported significantly elevated trait anxiety scores relating to colposcopy and emphasises the need to identify the anxiety and institute a plan to ameliorate it with information booklets, leaflets, video colposcopy and educational counselling.</p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A Sloan ◽  
Susumu S Sawada ◽  
Daniel Girdano ◽  
Yi Tong Liu ◽  
Stuart JH Biddle ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1281-1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline AJ Vissers ◽  
Andy P Jones ◽  
Kirsten Corder ◽  
Amy Jennings ◽  
Esther MF van Sluijs ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between breakfast consumption and physical activity in a well-characterised sample of English children.DesignCross-sectional study using food diaries to record breakfast consumption and accelerometry to assess physical activity.SettingNorfolk county, England.SubjectsChildren (n 1697) aged 9–10 years from the SPEEDY (Sport, Physical Activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) study.ResultsBoys who consumed a poor-quality breakfast based on dairy product, cereal and fruit intakes spent approximately 7 min more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during weekday afternoons and evenings compared with those who did not consume breakfast (P < 0·05). On weekend days, boys who consumed a poor- or good-quality breakfast spent approximately 6 and 5 min less time respectively being sedentary during the mornings compared with breakfast non-consumers (P < 0·05). Boys who consumed a good-quality breakfast spent almost 3 min more in MVPA during the morning on weekend days compared with non-consumers, and boys who consumed a poor- or good-quality breakfast were 22 % and 16 % more active overall respectively than breakfast non-consumers (P < 0·05). During the rest of the day, boys who consumed a good-quality breakfast spent about 11 min less time being sedentary (P < 0·05) and 7 min more time in MVPA (P < 0·01).ConclusionsAlthough some associations between breakfast consumption and physical activity were detected for boys, the present study does not provide strong evidence that failing to consume breakfast, or having a low energy intake at breakfast time, is detrimental to children's physical activity levels.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Stefany Hulda Primo ◽  
Mario Molari ◽  
Amanda Alcântara Luna ◽  
Nuno de Noronha Da Costa Bispo ◽  
Vinicius Aparecido Yoshio Ossada ◽  
...  

Atualmente tem se observado que as incidências de mortes são ocasionadas por fatores relacionados ao comportamento humano, como no caso da inatividade física. Esta pesquisa se objetivou em avaliar o nível de atividade física habitual - AF em relação ao índice de massa corpórea - IMC em universitários do Ensino a distância - EaD, por meio do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física - IPAQ. É um estudo do tipo transversal com o total de 107 universitários do EaD. Para as coletas de dados foi utilizado o questionário geral e o questionário IPAQ. O IMC foi calculado pela equação IMC= peso corporal (Kg)/ altura (m)2, considerando os valores <18,5 kg abaixo do peso; e entre 18,5-24,9 kg peso normal; 25-29,9 kg sobrepeso; 30-34,9 kg obesidade leve; 35-39,9 kg obesidade moderada e obesidade mórbida >40 kg (CUNHA, 2009). A média de idade foi de 30,1±9,7 anos, prevalecendo o sexo feminino com 61,6%. Dos 107 entrevistados, 64,4% são praticantes de AF. Quanto ao IMC, 6,5% estão abaixo do peso; 46% estão no peso normal; 33% estão com sobrepeso; 9,3% estão com obesidade leve; 2% com obesidade moderada; 3,8% com obesidade mórbida, sendo 1,8%. Através dos dados analisados por meio do questionário GERAL, IPAQ e pelo programa de análise estatística SPSS se verificou que quanto maior o IMC, pior é a classificação quanto ao nível de atividade física. Sendo assim, nota-se a importância de ações voltadas para os universitários praticarem atividade física, além de estratégicas voltadas para a promoção da saúde e prevenção de doenças provenientes do sedentarismo.Palavras-chave: Exercício. Obesidade. Promoção da Saúde.AbstractIt has now been observed that the incidence of deaths is caused by factors related to human behavior, as in the case of physical inactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the level of habitual physical activity (FA) in relation to the body mass index (BMI) in distance learning university students (EAD), through the International Questionnaire of Physical Activity (IPAQ). It is a cross-sectional study with a total of 107 university students. For data collection, the general questionnaire and the IPAQ questionnaire were used. The BMI was calculated by the equation BMI = body weight (kg) / height (m) 2, considering values <18.5 kg below weight; And between 18.5-24.9 kg normal weight; 25-29.9 kg overweight; 30-34.9 kg light obesity; 35-39.9 kg moderate obesity and morbid obesity> 40 kg (CUNHA, 2009). The mean age was 30.1 ± 9.7 years, prevailing the female sex with 61.6%. Of the 107 interviewees, 64.4% are AF practitioners. Regarding BMI 6.5% are underweight; 46% are in normal weight; 33% are overweight; 9.3% are lightly obese; 2% with moderate obesity; 3.8% with morbid obesity, being 1.8%. Through the data analyzed through the questionnaire GENERAL, IPAQ and the program of statistical analysis SPSS, it was verified that the higher the BMI, the worse the classification concerning the level of physical activity. Thus, we notice the importance of actions aimed at university students to practice physical activity, as well as strategies aimed at health promotion and prevention of sedentrary individuals’ diseases.Keywords: Exercise. Obesity. Health Promotion.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badrah S Alghamdi ◽  
Yasser AlAtawi ◽  
Fahad S. AlShehri ◽  
Haythum O. Tayeb ◽  
Hanin Abo Abo Taleb ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to over 150 countries worldwide. Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Saudi Arabia, cases have continued to escalate exponentially. The COVID-19 outbreak has had a negative effect on mental health and well-being. The study aim was to investigate the effects of the strict national regulations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of Saudi residents. Participants completed an online questionnaire after 1 month of a nationwide 24-hour curfew. We measured psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). We ran binary logistic regression analyses to detect variables that significantly predicted DASS-21 scores. Results The sample comprised 2252 Saudi residents. The DASS-21 score means and standard deviations for depression and anxiety for the whole sample (10.73 ± 10.29 and 6.98 ± 8.30, respectively) were in the range of mild depression and anxiety. In contrast, the mean DASS-21 stress score was within the normal range (11.97 ± 10.80). The mean stress score for healthcare workers was within normal range (13.70 ± 10.68), but was significantly higher than the mean score for the public (11.56 ± 10.89; P = .0006). Several variables (e.g. age, gender and history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases) were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 scores. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has created a psychological burden. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement emergency psychological interventions to reduce the negative psychosocial effects of the pandemic on public mental health.


1987 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo J. A. Haglund

This report on overweight is based on a cross-sectional study in Skaraborg County, Sweden, in 1977. Mean values of Body Mass Index (BMI) are higher in this county than in other areas studied in Sweden and abroad. In correlation analysis the strongest association was found between overweight and hypertension. This is of particular interest since other studies have shown that Skaraborg county, has one of Sweden's highest proportions of treated hypertensives and also higher mortality during the 1970s in hypertension and obesity related diseases. The BMI varied between the municipalities of the county. Overweight was most common in the agricultural municipalities. The mean value of the BMI was higher among workers and persons with less formal education. This is contradictory to earlier Swedish studies with regard to men but not women. Physically demanding jobs accounted for more overweight individuals whereas high physical activity during leisure time was correlated with low body weight.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whye L. Cheah ◽  
Ching T. Chang ◽  
Rosalia Saimon

Abstract This study examined the relationship between perceived built environment attributes and physical activity, physical fitness and body weight among adolescents aged 14–16 years in Sarawak. This was a cross-sectional study, using multi-stage sampling. A set of questionnaires consisting of socio-demographic information, a self-administered physical activity checklist and a Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Youth (NEWS-Y) was used. Body mass index (BMI) was measured and physical fitness was tested using a maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17.0. A total of 316 respondents participated. The mean BMI for boys was almost equal to the mean BMI for girls. Only 7.9% of the sampled population was found to be overweight or obese. The overall mean duration spent per day on physical activity was 128.4 min (SD 118.43), with mean of 56.1 min (SD 73.94) after school time. Girls reported to spend longer each day taking physical activity before and during school. Boys were found to have significantly higher VO2max of 27.79±5.91 mL/kg/min as compared to girls (t=11.22, p<0.000). Based on comparison with other countries, the NEWS-Y scores indicated a mixture of low and high walkability neighborhoods. Respondents who had lower BMIs reported living in lower residential density areas and less risk of crime, and respondents who had better physical fitness reported less suitable infrastructure for walking. Promotion of exercise at all levels should be continuously encouraged as it would lead to improvement in the well-being of an individual.


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