Associations between physical behaviour patterns and levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety and well-being in middle-aged adults: a cross-sectional study using isotemporal substitution models

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the compositional effects of physical behaviour on mental health.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA population-representative random sample (Mitchelstown cohort) was recruited from a large primary care centre in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland.ParticipantsIn total 3807 potential participants were selected from the practice list. Following exclusion of duplicates, deaths and ineligibles, 3043 were invited to participate and of these, 2047 (49.2% men) completed the questionnaire and physical examination components of the baseline assessment during the study period (April 2010 and May 2011). Accelerometers were introduced into the study in January 2011. Of the 745 participants seen between January and May of 2011, 475 (44.6% men) subjects (response rate 64%) agreed to participate and of these 397 (46.1% men) had valid accelerometer data.Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants wore the wrist GENEActiv accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Data were summarised into 60 s epochs and activity categorised as sedentary behaviour, light or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 well-being scale.ResultsIn adjusted isotemporal models, a 30 min increase in light activity per day was associated with a significant decrease in levels of anxiety symptoms (B=−0.34; 95% CI −0.64 to −0.04) and a significant increase in levels of well-being (B=0.58; 95% CI 0.05 to 1.11). No statistically significant associations were observed between any physical behaviour and depressive symptoms or when sedentary behaviour was substituted with MVPA (P>0.05).ConclusionAlthough based on a cross-sectional study, the findings suggest that substituting light activity for sedentary behaviour may have positive associations with symptoms of anxiety and reported well-being among middle-aged adults.

Associations of self-reported physical activity and anxiety symptoms and status among 7,874 Irish adults across harmonised datasets: a DEDIPAC-study

“…of the accelerometer and other activities constant) was significantly associated with a decrease in anxiety symptoms [72]. However, these findings were not supported in the present analyses of walking where anxiety symptoms and status did not differ across groups.…”

Association between device measured and self-reported sitting in relation to depression: the 1970 British Cohort Study

“…To our knowledge only one small population based study [40] has previously employed the gold standard thigh worn position to examine sitting time in relation to depression. Our findings on device measured MVPA with both depression symptoms and diagnosis, supports the results from some previous studies [15,41], although others have only observed protective associations with light intensity activity and not MVPA [36][37][38][39]. It is conceivable that in older populations lighter intensity activity may be more beneficial for mental health as greater exertion during vigorous forms of exercise may produce discomfort and shortness of breath, thus feel less enjoyable.…”

“…Those that have were mostly conducted on small (n < 500) convenience samples. Most of these studies [35][36][37][38][39][40], but not all [15] have noted associations between device measured sitting and higher risk of depressive symptoms assessed from self-reported questionnaires.…”

More habitual physical activity is linked to the use of specific, more adaptive cognitive reappraisal strategies in dealing with stressful events

“…Similarly, on the psychological level, there is ample evidence that regular physical activity is related to less subjective stress (e.g., Nguyen-Michel, Unger, Hamilton, & Spruijt-Metz, 2006), as well as less anxiety and depression (e.g., Harvey et al, 2017;McMahon et al, 2017;Penedo & Dahn, 2005;Rebar, Duncan, Short, & Vandelanotte, 2014;Stults-Kolehmainen & Sinha, 2014). Surprisingly, although intervention studies in both patients and nonclinical populations corroborate these beneficial effects of physical activity on stress and well-being (e.g., Dillon, McMahon, O'Regan, & Perry, 2018;Hiles, Lamers, Milaneschi, & Penninx, 2017;Rosenbaum, Tiedemann, & Ward, 2014;Stubbs et al, 2017), much uncertainty still exists on the specific mechanisms that underpin this relationship. One hypothesis holds that physical activity increases well-being through better coping with stressful encounters, which may include generally improved stressor appraisal or even specific styles of coping when faced with critical situations (e.g., Salmon, 2001;Sothmann, 2006;Steptoe, Kimbell, & Basford, 1998; also see Stults-Kolehmainen & Sinha, 2014).…”