Staying Physically Active Is Associated with Better Mental Health and Sleep Health Outcomes during the Initial Period of COVID-19 Induced Nation-Wide Lockdown in Jordan.

Yazan A Al-Ajlouni,Ghaith Shamaileh,Katherine M Keyes,Nour Makarem,Dustin T Duncan,Ban Dodin,Jude Alawa,Su Hyun Park

doi:10.3390/ijerph19020776

Abstract

Jordan, a Middle Eastern country, initially responded to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases within its own borders by imposing a 7-week strict lockdown and closure of international and domestic travel. Such measures drastically influenced lifestyle behaviors of the population. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of physical activity, and its association with mental and sleep health outcomes among Jordanians during a period of COVID-19 induced lockdown. Validated questionnaires were administered using a web-based platform to evaluate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep health, and sociodemographic characteristics. A modified Poisson regression model with robust error variance was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Compared to participants who met the guidelines, those who did not had significantly higher prevalence of moderate or severe anxiety symptoms than that of minimal or mild anxiety symptoms and increased depressive symptoms. Insufficient MVPA was associated with higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, short sleep duration (<7 h) and sleep problems. Overall, sufficient MVPA was associated with better mental and sleep health during the COVID-19 induced nation-wide lockdown in Jordan. While further research is necessary, promoting physical activity during the lockdown could potentially improve mental and sleep health outcomes among the population.

Highlights

Introduction iationsIn December 2019, an epidemic of cases associated with acute lower respiratory infections was detected in Wuhan, China
Over 60% of the participants were less than 40 years old, with the mean age of 37.4 (standard deviation (SD) = 11.0) years
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)) had significantly higher prevalence of moderate or severe anxiety symptoms compared to minimal or mild anxiety symptoms, and increased levels of depressive symptoms

Summary

Introduction

In December 2019, an epidemic of cases associated with acute lower respiratory infections was detected in Wuhan, China. These cases were caused by a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the several weeks, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had spread across China and several other countries across the world [1]. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO). Declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic and a public health emergency requiring immediate international concern [2]. An Arab country in Western Asia, reported its first case of COVID-19 on 2 March 2020 [3].

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