Associations between sleep quality and its domains and insufficient physical activity in a large sample of Croatian young adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe main purpose of the present study was to explore the associations between sleep quality and insufficient physical activity.DesignCross-sectional.SettingFaculties in Croatia.Participants2100 university students (1049 men and 1051 women) aged 18–24 years were recruited.Primary outcomeTo assess the domains of sleep quality (independent variables) and ‘insufficient’ physical activity (dependent variable), we used previously validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and International Physical Activity questionnaires. Logistic regressions were used to calculate the associations between the sleep quality and ‘insufficient’ physical activity.ResultsWhen sleep quality domains were entered separately into the model, very bad subjective sleep quality (OR 3.09; 95% CI 1.50 to 6.56), >60 min of sleep latency (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.39 to 3.39), <7 hours of sleep (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.24 to 1.96), <65% of habitual sleep efficiency (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.26 to 4.05), sleep disturbances >1/week (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.52), use of sleep medication >1/week (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.83 to 6.10), very big daytime dysfunction problem (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.57 to 4.93) and poor sleep quality (1.53; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.91) were associated with ‘insufficient’ physical activity. When all sleep quality domains were entered simultaneously into the model, the same significant associations remained, except for sleep disturbances. Both models were adjusted for gender, body mass index, self-rated health, life satisfaction, socioeconomic status, presence or absence of chronic diseases, smoking status, binge drinking and psychological distress.ConclusionsOur results show that ‘poor’ sleep quality is associated with ‘insufficient’ physical activity in young adults. In order to improve, special strategies and policies that leverage ‘good sleep’ quality are warranted.

Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality Are Associated with Physical Activity in Elderly People Living in Nursing Homes

“…The reason we used both sleep duration and sleep quality as predictors of PA was that both variables have been consistently associated with each other and it has been proposed that both sleep duration and sleep quality should be taken into account for public health [ 33 ]. Also, both variables have been consistently associated with similar negative health-related outcomes [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Along with sleep duration, sleep quality has also been associated with PA [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Findings of previous cross-sectional [ 11 , 12 ] and longitudinal studies [ 13 ] have shown that poor sleepers are less likely to meet PA guidelines [ 11 , 12 ] and that better initial sleep quality predicted higher levels of later PA [ 13 ]. In general, the association between sleep and PA is bidirectional [ 14 ].…”

Are Sedentary Behaviors Associated with Sleep Duration? A Cross-Sectional Case from Croatia

“…This cross-sectional study was based on a sample of university students from the city of Zagreb. Detailed procedure and sample collection are reported elsewhere [16,18,19]. In brief, we randomly selected eight out of thirty-three faculties from the University of Zagreb in 2017 at the first stage.…”

“…Finally, we summed all three domains to obtain the total time spent in sedentary behaviors. Additionally, we included sex, body-mass index, self-rated health, socioeconomic status, smoking status, binge drinking, psychological distress and chronic disease/s as covariates by questionnaire using previously described measures [16,18,19].…”

Sleep health disparity: the putative role of race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status

“…67 Alcohol dependence has a bidirectional relationship with insomnia and sleep disturbances: alcohol can impair sleep quality and persons with insomnia sometimes use alcohol to help with sleep. 68 Active lifestyles and physical activity (as defined by 150 minutes/week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes/week of vigorous physical activity) are also contributing factors of subjective good sleep quality, sleep efficiency and minimal disturbed sleep. 69 SES also must be accounted for when assessing sleep disturbance.…”