Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to COVID-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults

The COVID-19 pandemic altered many facets of life. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19-related public health guidelines on physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, mental health, and their interrelations. Cross-sectional data were collected from 3052 US adults 3–8 April 2020 (from all 50 states). Participants self-reported pre- and post-COVID-19 levels of moderate and vigorous PA, sitting, and screen time. Currently-followed public health guidelines, stress, loneliness, positive mental health (PMH), social connectedness, and depressive and anxiety symptoms were self-reported. Participants were grouped by meeting US PA guidelines, reporting ≥8 h/day of sitting, or ≥8 h/day of screen time, pre- and post-COVID-19. Overall, 62% of participants were female, with age ranging from 18–24 (16.6% of sample) to 75+ (9.3%). Self-reported PA was lower post-COVID among participants reporting being previously active (mean change: −32.3% [95% CI: −36.3%, −28.1%]) but largely unchanged among previously inactive participants (+2.3% [−3.5%, +8.1%]). No longer meeting PA guidelines and increased screen time were associated with worse depression, loneliness, stress, and PMH (p < 0.001). Self-isolation/quarantine was associated with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to social distancing (p < 0.001). Maintaining and enhancing physical activity participation and limiting screen time increases during abrupt societal changes may mitigate the mental health consequences.

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Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.30708 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yessica Abigail Tronco Hernández ◽

Fabio Parente ◽

Mark A Faghy ◽

Clare M P Roscoe ◽

Frances A Maratos

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Work Productivity ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Remote Workers ◽

Distress Scale ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the living and working habits of millions of people, with potentially important implications for their physical, mental, and social well-being. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on remote workers who were not directly affected by COVID-19. METHODS This was a correlational cross-sectional study (with an additional qualitative component) of 184 remote workers surveyed during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom. Standard measures of mental health (Kessler-6 Distress Scale), productivity (Brief Instrument to Assess Workers’ Productivity During a Working Day), and physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were used, and respondents were further surveyed on changes to their dietary, exercise, smoking, drinking, and socialization habits to produce a well-being change index. RESULTS The results revealed associations between sedentary behavior and poorer mental health (τb=0.14) and between poorer mental health and low work productivity (τb=–0.39). However, both positive and negative lifestyle changes were reported; a self-reported increase in well-being (with respect to diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and socialization) since the start of the pandemic was associated with both better mental health (τb=–0.14) and better work productivity (τb=0.14). Of note, among respondents without a mental health diagnosis (137/184, 74.4%), we observed rates of moderate (76/137, 55.5%) and severe (17/137, 12.4%) psychological distress, which were markedly higher than those reported in large prepandemic studies; moreover, 70.1% (129/184) of our respondents reported more sedentary behavior, 41% (69/168) increased their alcohol consumption, and 38.6% (71/184) increased their overall food intake. However, 46% (75/163), 44.8% (39/87) and 51.8% (57/110) of respondents reported spending more time walking and engaging in more moderate and vigorous exercise, respectively. Qualitative analysis revealed many positive adaptations to lockdowns (eg, decreased commuting expenses, flexibility) but also a number of structural obstacles to remote working (eg, lack of support and high expectations from employers, childcare duties). CONCLUSIONS These findings may be of practical importance for policy makers and employers in a world in which work involves long-term remote or hybrid employment arrangements; strategies to promote more sustainable remote working are discussed.

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Effects of Reallocating Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Sleep on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Examination of Canadian Adolescents in the COMPASS Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33268/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jenna Gilchrist ◽

Kate Battista ◽

Karen A. Patte ◽

Guy Faulkner ◽

Valerie Carson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Screen Time ◽

Critical Role ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep are associated with mental health in adolescents. Mental health may depend not only on the amount of time spent in a specific activity, but also on the activity it displaces. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of reallocating 15 minutes of time spent in one health behavior with 15 minutes in another on adolescent mental health. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the students participating in the COMPASS Study (2018-2019) were analyzed (N = 46,413). Participants self-reported the amount of time they spent engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), doing homework and using screens, and their sleep duration on average each day. Participants also self-reported depressive symptoms, anxiety, and flourishing. Data were analyzed using isotemporal substitution modeling. Results: Non-linear associations were evident between sleep and the mental health outcomes, so analyses were stratified by sleep duration based on whether students reported meeting current guidelines or not. Among adolescents getting less than the recommended amount of sleep, replacing any behaviour with sleep was generally associated with better mental health outcomes. Conversely, among adolescents getting adequate sleep, the findings did not support replacing other behaviors with sleep with the exception of screen time. Replacing homework and MVPA with sleep was associated with less flourishing regardless of sleep duration. Of the two sedentary behaviors assessed, replacing screen time with homework was associated with less depression and greater flourishing. However, replacing any behavior with homework was associated with greater anxiety regardless of whether participants reported adequate sleep or not.Conclusions: Replacing screen time with any behaviour may be better for mental health outcomes. Results provide further support for the critical role of sleep in promoting healthy development during adolescence, though more sleep than is recommended may confer little benefit for mental health. Youth getting adequate sleep may benefit from replacing screen time with homework or MVPA. The findings demonstrate that mental health benefits may be obtainable at intervals as short as 15 minutes.

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How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e043397

Author(s):

Austen El-Osta ◽

Aos Alaa ◽

Iman Webber ◽

Eva Riboli Sasco ◽

Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Female Gender ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

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Impact of Social Isolation on Physical Activity and Factors Associated With Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2020-0456 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Giovana Z. Mazo ◽

Felipe Fank ◽

Pedro S. Franco ◽

Bruna da Silva Vieira Capanema ◽

Franciele da Silva Pereira

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Low Income ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The Impact

The objective was to analyze the impact of social isolation on moderate physical activity and factors associated with sedentary behavior of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study involving 111 older adults (aged 71.0 ± 6.87 years). The data were collected at two time points: in November 2019 and in June 2020. There was a decline in moderate physical activity when the minutes/week were compared before and during social isolation (p < .001). Sedentary behavior was associated with the condition of living alone. Older adults who lived alone were 3.29 times more likely to spend 4 hr or more in sedentary behavior than those who lived with a partner (95% confidence interval [1.01, 10.74]). Government agencies must establish PA-related health promotion strategies, especially in developing and low-income countries. Therefore, home exercises need to be encouraged to prevent the consequences of this pandemic period.

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Association between leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with cardiometabolic health in the ELSA-Brasil participants

SAGE Open Medicine ◽

10.1177/2050312119827089 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 205031211982708 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Francisco José Gondim Pitanga ◽

Sheila Maria Alvim Matos ◽

Maria da Conceição C. Almeida ◽

Ana Luísa Patrão ◽

Maria del Carmen Bisi Molina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Screen Time ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Adult Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Levels

Objectives: To assess associations, both individually and in combination, between leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior, and cardiometabolic health. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 13,931 civil servants participating in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Leisure-time physical activity was analyzed using the leisure-time domain of the long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while questions related to cumulative sitting time and leisure-based screen time on a weekday and on one day on the weekend were used to establish sedentary behavior. Data analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Following adjustment for confounding variables, high levels of leisure-time physical activity and low levels of sedentary behavior were both associated with favorable cardiometabolic health markers in both genders. When these two factors were analyzed in conjunction, taking the combination of low levels of leisure-time physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior as the reference, the inverse associations with cardiometabolic variables became even more significant. Conclusion: High levels of leisure-time physical activity and low levels of sedentary behavior were both inversely associated with the cardiometabolic variables analyzed; however, the two variables when evaluated in conjunction appear to produce more consistent associations, particularly when sedentary behavior is evaluated according to leisure-based screen time.

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Spirituality and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Latino Men and Women in Massachusetts

Ethnicity & Disease ◽

10.18865/ed.27.1.3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Valerie J. Silfee ◽

Christina F. Haughton ◽

Stephenie C. Lemon ◽

Vilma Lora ◽

Milagros C. Rosal

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Family Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Latino Men ◽

Hispanic Adults ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

The Impact

Objective: To examine the relationships between spirituality and physical activity and sedentary behavior in a sample of Latino adults in Massachusetts.Design: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the Lawrence Health and Well Being Study; a study that was conducted among patients at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) in Lawrence, Massachusetts.Participants: 602 Latino or Hispanic adults aged 21 to 85 years completed the study.Results: There was a significant negative relationship between spirituality and sedentary behavior (β= -.12, p = .004). Although not statistically significant, higher spirituality was associated with increased odds of engaging in physical activity. There were no significant associations between spirituality and physical activity among men or women. Men with greater spirituality were significantly less sedentary (β = -.17, P = .005). There was no relationship between sedentary behavior and spirituality among women.Conclusions: This study found that individuals who are more spiritual are also less sedentary, and this association was stronger in men than women. Findings provide insight for developing future interventions to promote activity in this high-risk population, which has been greatly understudied. Future research endeavors should consider investigating the impact of spirituality-based messages to reduce sedentary behavior among Latinos.Ethn Dis. 2017;27(1):3-10; doi:10.18865/ed.27.1.3.

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The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity and Weight Gain Among Active Adult Population in Israel. A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-151824/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Horesh Dor-Haim ◽

Sara Katzburg ◽

Pola Revach ◽

Hagai Levin ◽

Sharon Barak

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Digital Media ◽

Adult Population ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Activity Level ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Aged Population ◽

The Impact

Abstract The COVID-19 outbreak holds public health concerns. Staying at home, increases sedentary behavior, with unintended adverse outcomes. Since organized recreation and sports facilities were closed, we aimed to study how the crisis of closure affected exercise habits and weight gain among the trainee population in Israel, assess the frequency of activity and age-adjusted weight gain, measure and ability to embrace digital media, as an alternative training frameworkA cross-sectional survey consisted of a multiple-choice questionnaire that was obtained using a web-based survey application. 1,202 trainees who exercise on a regular basis, anonymously answered the questionnaire sent by their coaches regarding their activity and weight gain during lockdown times. Results confirmed that 70% of Israelis trained less than their usual routine, 60% used digital media for training, 55% gained weight. Half of the respondents gained more than 2 kg, with an average increase of 1.2 kg. However, those who exhibited a higher physical activity level gained less weight. Using digital media for training was associated with higher physical activity levels. The aged population was less likely to use digital media.Since increased sedentary behavior could increase the risk for potential worsening of health conditions, health agencies should look for strategies, especially in the aged population, including digital media to promote physical activity and subsequently, preventing the increased burden of future comorbidities worsening by a sedentary lifestyle.

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Impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on the Mental Health and Physical Activity of Pharmacy Students at the University of Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.1101/2021.01.11.21249547 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Steward Mudenda ◽

Moses Mukosha ◽

Chiluba Mwila ◽

Zikria Saleem ◽

Aubrey Chichoni Kalungia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Time Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious global health problem that has negatively impacted the mental health of students.MethodsWe conducted an online descriptive cross-sectional study among 273 undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Zambia. A partial proportional odds regression model was used to determine the predictors of anxiety. All statistical tests were set at 95% confidence level (p<0.05).ResultsA response rate of 70% was obtained with the majority of the students being female 51.6%. Of the 273 respondents, 23.8% did not experience anxiety, 34.4% experienced mild anxiety, 24.9% experienced moderate anxiety while 16.9% experienced severe anxiety about COVID-19. It was also found that 61.2% of students reported that their attention to mental health increased during the COVID-19 pandemic whereas 44.3% reported an increased resting time with a significant reduction in relaxation 51.3% and physical activity 45.4% time. Factors that affected mental health included; reduced family care (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.09-4.74), not changing attention to mental health (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.18-0.62), being in the final year of study (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.84), reduced time of resting (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.26-3.50) and feeling helpless (OR: 0.42; 95% CI:0.23-0.75).ConclusionCOVID-19 negatively impacted the mental health and physical activity of pharmacy students at the University of Zambia. This can have negative health and academic outcomes for students going forward. Higher learning institutions and key stakeholders should implement measures to aid students to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and physical activity.

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COVID-19 Pandemic: A Challenge for Healthcare Professionals and Assessment of Anxiety Symptoms

Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.17532/jhsci.2020.1073 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Maestro ◽

Sabina Šegalo ◽

Dinko Remić ◽

Arzija Pašalić ◽

Anes Jogunčić

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Health Centre ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Public Institution ◽

World Health ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The World ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Worldwide, COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of infected people and thousands of deaths. Due to enormous pressure on health-care systems and its inadequate preparedness, utter collapse is expected. In the current epidemic response, healthcare workers’ (HCWs) knowledge and practice are crucial, while the impact on their mental health is still unknown.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs redeployed to COVID points in the Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton. According to guidelines and information provided by the World Health Organization and Ministries of Health, a questionnaire was developed. In addition, General Anxiety Disorder-7 as a screening tool for anxiety disorders was used.Results: Of 180 respondents, 26 (14.4%) were in direct contact with the sick patient. In total, 79 (43.9%) respondents consider their personal protective equipment is in accordance with the guidelines of the world health authorities. A total of 72 (39.7%) of respondents used the same mask for several days. In general, the danger from new coronavirus was considered minimal by 59 (32,6%) HCWs. Based on the achieved score for assessing the anxiety disorder, in 63 (35%) subjects, the presence of severe symptoms was detected.Conclusion: This study found that most HCWs do not have enough knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified that there are differences in the sources of information and gap in perceptions of the native origin of the virus. Considering the frequency of anxiety symptoms among HCWs, interventions are necessary in order to preserve their mental health.

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of University Students in Pakistan

10.20944/preprints202012.0367.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hafiz Muhammad Asif ◽

Hafiz Abdul Sattar

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Family Income ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Purpose: A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the cause of COVID-19 eventually led to the declaration of Public health emergency of international concern and a pandemic by WHO due to its exponential global spread. Present study was conducted to investigate the impact of second wave of pandemic on mental wellbeing and social behaviors among university students of Pakistan during this crucial period of COVID-19 infection. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was designed to evaluate the psychosocial impact during the current COVID-19 outbreak among the students of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Snowball sampling or chain referral sampling procedure was adopted to recruit the participants in the study. Verbal informed consent was taken from all participants before recruitment in the study irrespective of their gender, age and socioeconomic status. Results: Mental health of university students during COVID-19 epidemic was affected to a varying degree revealing that 26.66% were recorded to have mild, 27.15% moderate and 17.04% suffering from severe anxiety out of total 1029 students. Students who were residing in urban areas with parents and having a steady family income were negatively associated and found protective factors against anxiety. However, having a relative or an acquaintance infected with COVID-19 was an independent risk factor for experienced anxiety. Positively associated factors with the level of anxiety symptoms included economic stressors, effects on daily-life, and academic delays whereas social support was negatively correlated with anxiety in COVID-19 related stressors. Conclusion: Public health emergencies and such pandemic are exerting serious psychological impacts on university students. It is recommended that the higher authorities should plan better policies to reduce this impact for the provision of high quality and timely crisis-oriented psychological services to university students.

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