Independent and Joint Associations of Physical Activity and Sleep on Mental Health among 220,324 Adults in 214 Countries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51224/SRXIV.254Keywords:
mental well-being, movement behaviors, exerciseAbstract
With the emergent emphasis on the 24-hour movement paradigm, the importance of engaging in adequate amounts of sleep and physical activity (PA) is becoming increasingly apparent for several health outcomes. However, the joint effects of sleep and PA have received limited attention as it relates to mental health among adults. The present study used cross-sectional data from the Mental Health Million Project to examine the independent and joint effects of sleep and PA on mental health among adults, and whether these effects differ among individuals receiving mental health treatment. The sample included 220,324 participants (34.4% young adults, 45.2% middle-aged adults, 20.4% older adults; 57.8% females, 36.3% males, 1.0% other) from 214 countries that completed the 47-item Mental Health Quotient. Participants also reported weekly frequency of PA and adequate sleep, and whether they are currently receiving mental health treatment. A series of generalized linear mixed regression models were computed. The results demonstrated independent dose-response associations whereby greater amounts of PA engagement and adequate sleep each predicted better mental health. A synergistic interaction was observed in which mental health was positively associated with PA engagement and this relationship was strengthened with greater frequency of adequate sleep. These benefits were less pronounced among adults receiving mental health treatment. While findings suggest that healthier amounts of sleep can help to offset the negative influence of a physically inactive lifestyle (and vice versa), our results point to a “more is better” approach for both behaviors when it comes to promoting mental health.
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