Associations of physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep duration with anxiety symptoms during pregnancy: An isotemporal substitution model

Background: Studies have evidenced the close relationships between movement behavior [physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep duration)] and anxiety. Capturing 24 h of these maternal movement behaviors during pregnancy is necessary to understand their relationships. Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, a total of 946 prenatal women filled Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire-Chinese version, Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, and 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorders scale between May 2020 and April 2021. An Isotemporal Substitution Model was used to estimate the per-hour effects of replacing one behavior. Results: Replacing moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA), light PA (LPA), or SB with sleep could reduce both general and pregnancy-specific anxiety (LPA, B = -0.61-similar to 0.37, P <= 0.01; MVPA, B = -0.35, P = 0.03; SB, B = -0.45 similar to-0.34, P <= 0.01). Replacing SB with MVPA could reduce pregnancy-specific anxiety in the group without adequate sleep duration (SB, B = -0.62,95%CI = -1.13 similar to-0.17). As for the types of PA, replacing household, occupational or inactivity PA with transportation PA or sleep duration reduced general anxiety (household PA: B = -0.51, 95%CI = -0.73-similar to 0.29, P < 0.001; occupational PA: B = -0.48, 95%CI = -0.69 similar to-0.27, P < 0.001; inactivity: B = -0.45, 95%CI = -0.68 similar to-0.24, P < 0.001). Replacing household PA, occupational PA, or inactivity with transport PA was associated with improved general anxiety (household: B = -0.33, 95%CI = -0.64 similar to-0.03, P = 0.29; occupational PA: B = -0.31, 95%CI = -0.62 similar to-0.003, P = 0.35; inactivity: B = -0.28, 95%CI = -0.56 similar to-0.01, P = 0.33). Limitations: A cross-sectional study design and self-reported measurement limits the reliability of study. Conclusion: Longer time spent in sleep and MVPA may mitigate the negative effects of SB on anxiety.

Automated summary

The study found that during pregnancy, replacing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, or sedentary behavior with sleep can reduce general anxiety and pregnancy-specific anxiety. Additionally, replacing household, occupational, or inactivity physical activity with transportation or sleep can improve general anxiety.