Optimal movement behaviors: correlates and associations with anxiety symptoms among Chinese university students

Abstract

Background The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults was released in 2020. There is a dearth of evidence on the association between adherence to the 24 h movement guidelines and health indicators. This study aims to (a) explore the associations between potential correlates and meeting the 24 h movement guidelines using a sample of Chinese university students; and (b) examine if meeting 24 h movement guidelines is associated with the severity of anxiety symptoms. Methods Cross-sectional findings are based on 1846 Chinese university students (mean age = 20.7 years, 64.0% female). Movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep duration), possible correlates, and anxiety symptoms were measured through self-reported online questionnaires. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the associations. Results We found that male students and those who had a mother with a master’s degree or above, more close friends and higher perceived family affluence were more likely to meet the overall 24 h guidelines. Meeting all 24 h movement guidelines presented the lower odds for severe anxiety symptoms than those meeting fewer recommendations in the 24 h movement guidelines. Conclusions As one of the first to examine the correlates of adherence to the 24 h movement guidelines and the relationship between anxiety symptoms and meeting the guidelines among Chinese university students, our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence linking movement behaviors, psychosocial correlates, and heath indicators. Schools and health providers can encourage movement behaviors that follow the guidelines on campus.

Lifestyle behavior of physiotherapy students from Ecuador upon admission to higher education: a cross-sectional study

“…Few published studies have evaluated adherence to the overall 24-hour movement guidelines among university students (60)(61)(62)(63). Consistent with our findings, two studies reported similar rates of meeting recommendations among Canadian university students-9.9% and 8.4% (61,62).…”

Associations of 24-hour movement behaviors with externalizing and internalizing problems among children and adolescents prescribed with eyeglasses/contact lenses

“…Previous studies have examined associations of meeting 24-HMB guidelines with some aspects of internationalizing and/or externalizing problems among different age groups (e.g., preschoolers, youths, and emerging college students) with healthy or clinical condition ( Bu et al., 2021 ; Hou et al., 2023 ; Ohta et al., 2023 ; Patte et al., 2020 ; Sampasa-Kanyinga et al., 2021 ; Zhu et al., 2023 ). For instance, a cross-sectional study indicated that meeting all three components of 24-HMB guidelines was linked to fewer internalizing and externalizing problems among preschoolers aged 3–6 years ( Zhu et al., 2023 ).…”

Relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and internet addiction with insomnia and depression as multiple mediators during the COVID-19 pandemic: a three-wave longitudinal study in Chinese college students

“…A healthy lifestyle may be a key determinant in preventing Internet addiction (IA) [ 10 – 12 ]. Research indicates that healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutritious eating, contribute significantly to mental health.…”