Associations between Meeting 24-hour Movement Guidelines and Perceived Stress and Depressive Symptoms among College Students: Differences by Gender, Race, and Sexual Orientation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Little evidence exists concerning the proportion of US college students meeting collective recommendations for the behaviors of sleep, sedentary behavior, and physical activity, together known as 24-hour movement guidelines. As these behaviors are known to be related to mental health, the association between meeting these guidelines and mental health outcomes is of particular importance. Additionally, disparities by socio-demographic characteristics may also exist and need to be explored. To examine the following among US college students, (a) the proportion meeting 24-hour movement guidelines, (b) inequities based on socio-demographic characteristics, and (c) associations between meeting guidelines and mental health outcomes. A quantitative survey design was used with US college students (N = 515). Reported socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Movement guidelines were met by 22.1% of students. No differences in the proportion meeting all guidelines were evident based on gender (p = .143) or sexual orientation (p = .135), but more White students met all movement guidelines than nonwhite students (p = .022). Meeting all movement guidelines was not associated with lower perceived stress (p = .090), but was associated with lower depressive symptoms (p < .001). Most students do not meet 24-hour movement guidelines, and not meeting these guidelines appears to be associated with less favorable mental health. Given a plausible bi-directional association between movement behaviors and mental health, a dual-pronged approach simultaneously promoting healthier movement behaviors and mental wellbeing whilst considering student characteristics should be assessed by colleges.