Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students?
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Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students? / Petersen, Christina Bjørk; Kruger, Christina; Guldager, Julie Dalgaard; Algren, Maria Holst; Jervelund, Signe Smith; Berg-Beckhoff, Gabriele.
I: Frontiers in Public Health, Bind 11, 1126240, 2023.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students?
AU - Petersen, Christina Bjørk
AU - Kruger, Christina
AU - Guldager, Julie Dalgaard
AU - Algren, Maria Holst
AU - Jervelund, Signe Smith
AU - Berg-Beckhoff, Gabriele
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - AimsThe benefits associated with being physical active on mental health is well-established, but little is known on how rapid changes in physical activity are associated with mental health. This study investigated the association between changes in physical activity and mental health among Danish university students during the first COVID-19 lockdown. MethodsOnline survey data were collected among 2,280 university students at the University of Southern Denmark and University of Copenhagen in May-June 2020 as part the "COVID-19 International Student Well-being Study." Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze associations between changes in physical activity and mental health (depression and stress scores) adjusted for potential socio-economic confounders. ResultsDuring the first COVID-19 lockdown, 40% decreased their moderate and 44% their vigorous physical activity, while 16% increased their moderate and 13% their vigorous physical activity. Overall, students with a stable physical activity level had the lowest mean depressive and stress scores. Adjusted analyses showed that a decrease in vigorous and moderate physical activity level was significantly associated with a higher depression score (mean difference (vigorous): 1.36, p < 0.001 and mean difference (moderate): 1.55, p < 0.001). A decrease in vigorous physical activity and an increase in moderate physical activity was associated with a 1-point increase in the PSS-4 stress score (p < 0.001). ConclusionA substantial proportion of students changed their physical activity level during lockdown. Our findings emphasize the importance of staying physically active during COVID-19 lockdown. This knowledge might be important for relevant health authorities to bridle post-pandemic mental health challenges.
AB - AimsThe benefits associated with being physical active on mental health is well-established, but little is known on how rapid changes in physical activity are associated with mental health. This study investigated the association between changes in physical activity and mental health among Danish university students during the first COVID-19 lockdown. MethodsOnline survey data were collected among 2,280 university students at the University of Southern Denmark and University of Copenhagen in May-June 2020 as part the "COVID-19 International Student Well-being Study." Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze associations between changes in physical activity and mental health (depression and stress scores) adjusted for potential socio-economic confounders. ResultsDuring the first COVID-19 lockdown, 40% decreased their moderate and 44% their vigorous physical activity, while 16% increased their moderate and 13% their vigorous physical activity. Overall, students with a stable physical activity level had the lowest mean depressive and stress scores. Adjusted analyses showed that a decrease in vigorous and moderate physical activity level was significantly associated with a higher depression score (mean difference (vigorous): 1.36, p < 0.001 and mean difference (moderate): 1.55, p < 0.001). A decrease in vigorous physical activity and an increase in moderate physical activity was associated with a 1-point increase in the PSS-4 stress score (p < 0.001). ConclusionA substantial proportion of students changed their physical activity level during lockdown. Our findings emphasize the importance of staying physically active during COVID-19 lockdown. This knowledge might be important for relevant health authorities to bridle post-pandemic mental health challenges.
KW - mental health
KW - physical activity
KW - cross sectional
KW - COVID-19
KW - public health
KW - students
KW - youth
KW - Denmark
KW - DEPRESSION
KW - POPULATION
U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126240
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126240
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37139380
VL - 11
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
JF - Frontiers in Public Health
SN - 2296-2565
M1 - 1126240
ER -
ID: 347285344