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Association between 24-h movement behavior and mental health among Chinese college students: A compositional data
Baiquan Yang1, Chenlin Li1, Xinglong Yang1
1Shanghai University of Sport, 300 Hen Gren Road, Yang Pu District, Shanghai, 200438, China.
Background:
24-h movement behavior is a significant factor influencing college students' mental health. This study aims to use compositional data analysis to explore the association between 24-h movement behaviors and mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) among Chinese college students.
Methods:
This study recruited 5888 college students in Southwest China and assessed their physical activity and sedentary behavior using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Mental health status (depression, anxiety, and stress) was measured via the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Using compositional data analysis to investigate the association between the composition and reallocation of 24-h movement behaviors and mental health.
Results:
Compositional regression showed that higher MVPA was associated with lower depression (β = -0.105, P < 0.001) and stress (β = -0.068, P < 0.001), while higher SED was associated with higher depression (β = 0.306, P < 0.001) and stress (β = 0.615, P < 0.001). Higher SLP was associated with lower anxiety (β = -0.187, P = 0.003) and stress (β = -0.419, P < 0.001). Sex stratified models indicated that SED and SLP associations were more pronounced in women, whereas MVPA showed broadly similar protective patterns across sexes. In proportional substitution, SLP had the largest effect: a 10 % increase in sleep was linked to lower anxiety and stress (-0.031, 95 % CI: -0.051, -0.011; -0.069, 95 % CI: -0.091, -0.046). Dose-response analyses further indicated asymmetric relationships between MVPA, SED, SLP, and mental health.
Conclusion:
This study indicates that 24-h movement priorities differ by mental health among Chinese university students, with some sex differences. Reducing SED and maintaining minimal MVPA appear most relevant for depression, SLP optimization is central for anxiety, and stress benefits from adequate SLP, together with less prolonged SED and preserved MVPA, with SED and SLP targets more pronounced in women.
