Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the associations of physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) with physiological, psychological, and social health—particularly regarding effects on sleep quality—among Chinese college freshmen. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Renmin University of China, in Beijing. A total of 5,233 students were surveyed in September 2015. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire on their demographic characteristics, tobacco and alcohol use, PA, ST, sleep quality, and health status. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the independent and interactive associations between PA and ST with sleep quality and suboptimal health status. In total, 10.43%, 13.18%, and 13.26% of the 5,233 students had physiological, psychological, and social suboptimal health status, respectively. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 37.94%. High ST and high PA were significantly associated with physiological suboptimal health status (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.16–1.68, and aOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.45–0.71), psychological suboptimal health status (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.21–1.69, and aOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.47–0.69), social suboptimal health status (aOR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08–1.50, and aOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52–0.77), and poor sleep quality (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.39, and aOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.55–0.76). Additionally, low ST and high PA were interactively negatively associated with poor sleep quality (aOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.45–0.70), physiological suboptimal health status (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.40–0.59), psychological suboptimal health status (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.39–0.58), and social suboptimal health status (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.40–0.59). These findings suggested there are independent and interactive associations of low ST and high PA with poor sleep quality and suboptimal health status among Chinese college freshmen.
Highlights
In a period of great change and social-developmental transition, many studies focus on college students [1,2,3], who are generally considered to be relatively healthy; researchers have increasingly suggested they can have various physiological, psychological, and social health problems [4,5,6,7]
The findings of the present study suggested that low physical activity (PA) and high screen time (ST) are independently associated with self-reported poor sleep quality, as well as physiological, psychological, and social suboptimal health status among Chinese college students
Our analysis suggested that high PA can have a positive association with physiological health among Chinese college students
Summary
In a period of great change and social-developmental transition, many studies focus on college students [1,2,3], who are generally considered to be relatively healthy; researchers have increasingly suggested they can have various physiological, psychological, and social health problems [4,5,6,7]. Some studies have further indicated that college students worldwide have experienced increased levels of depression [4, 6, 7]. It has been reported that, among college students, there is a high prevalence of poor sleep quality, with 52.7% classified as having a poor sleep quality [15]. Such a finding is concerning, as sleep quality has been shown to have significant negatively effects on academic performance and test scores [16]. Sleep quality has direct and indirect effects on college students’ academic function, physical, psychological health, quality of social relationships, social support [18, 19]. Promoting sleep quality is important to the prevention of health problems
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