https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2947-6673
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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.
Conflict of interest disclosure
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board at the Pennsylvania State University.
Data availability
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, NB, upon reasonable request.