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Physical activity and sleep quality in relation to mental health among college students

  • Psychiatrics • Original Article
  • Published:
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Abstract

Objective

To examine the associations and interactive effects of physical activity and sleep quality on mental health among Indian college students.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Indian college students. The sociodemographic data and body mass index were obtained from a convenience sample of 617 college students, age range from 18 to 30 years, including both genders (314 men, 51%). All participants completed three questionnaires: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Questionnaires were evaluated to ascertain the subjects’ mental health level, physical activity level, and sleep quality. Analyses were conducted with binary logistic regression models.

Result

The mean (± S.D.) anxiety and depression scores were 9.3 ± 4.4 and 7.4 ± 2.5 respectively, with anxiety and depression scores ranging from 0 to 20 and 0–17, respectively.

The prevalence of anxiety (30%) was more than that of depression (18%). Out of the total participants, 51% reported having low physical activity levels, and 51% had poor sleep quality. Odds ratio calculations indicated that the participants physical activity levels (moderate and high) were significantly and inversely associated with scores for anxiety (OR = 0.16 and 0.96; p = 0.001) and for depression (OR = 0.11 and 0.96; p = 0.001).The poor sleep quality was significantly positively associated with anxiety (OR = 1.38) and depression OR = 1.58 (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Mental health problems are common among both male and female college students. Significant associations were found between physical activity levels and sleep quality with mental health.

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Funding

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi, provided the facilities for carrying out the investigation but no funding was received in any other form.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, India

    Amer K. Ghrouz & Majumi Mohamad Noohu

  2. Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia

    Md. Dilshad Manzar

  3. Independent Researcher, M6K 2B4, 652 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

    David Warren Spence

  4. The University Sleep Disorders Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Box 225503, Riyadh, 11324, Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed S. BaHammam

  5. National Plan for Science and Technology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed S. BaHammam

  6. Somnogen Canada Inc, College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Seithikurippu R. Pandi-Perumal

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  1. Amer K. Ghrouz
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  2. Majumi Mohamad Noohu
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  3. Md. Dilshad Manzar
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  5. Ahmed S. BaHammam
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  6. Seithikurippu R. Pandi-Perumal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Majumi Mohamad Noohu.

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The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) of JMI New Delhi.

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None of the authors have any conflict of interests to be disclosed with respect to this study.

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All the participants gave written informed consent before enrolment into the study.

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Ghrouz, A.K., Noohu, M.M., Dilshad Manzar, M. et al. Physical activity and sleep quality in relation to mental health among college students. Sleep Breath 23, 627–634 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-019-01780-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-019-01780-z

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