Assessing the stress-buffering effects of social support for exercise on physical activity, sitting time, and blood lipid profiles

Nishat Bhuiyan, Jamie H. Kang, Zack Papalia, Christopher M. Bopp, Melissa Bopp, Scherezade K. Mama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: This study tested the hypothesized stress-buffering effects of social support on physical activity, sitting time, and blood lipid profiles. Participants: 537 college students. Methods: College students volunteered to self-report stress, social support for exercise, physical activity and sitting time, and provided blood samples to assess lipid profiles in this cross-sectional study. Results: Lower stress was associated with higher vigorous physical activity (β = −0.1, t = −2.9, p =.004). Higher social support was associated with higher moderate (β = 0.2, t = 2.0, p =.042), vigorous (β = 0.5, t = 5.4, p <.001), and total (β = 0.1, t = 3.2, p =.001) physical activity, and lower sitting time on weekdays (β = −0.1, t = −3.3, p =.001) and weekends (β = −0.2, t = −3.6, p <.001). Social support moderated the association between stress and sitting time on weekdays. Conclusions: Stress reduction and fostering social support may be important strategies for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors in college students. Additional strategies are needed to buffer the deleterious effects of stress.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1563-1569
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume70
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Early adulthood
  • health behaviors
  • health outcomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Assessing the stress-buffering effects of social support for exercise on physical activity, sitting time, and blood lipid profiles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this