Relationships between PA, sedentary behavior, and subjective well-being in Latinas as a function of measurement method

Purpose: To examine (1) associations between objectively measured physical activity (PA) and Subjective Wellbeing (SWB), (2) associations between objectively measured Sedentary Behavior (SB) and SWB; and (3) whether the relationship of PA and SB with SWB varies by PA or SB measurement method (objective vs. self-report).

Methods: 146 adult Latinas recruited to a PA intervention (mean age = 39 ±10.6 yr; mean BMI =30.5 ±6.4) wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 7 days and completed the WHO-5 Well-Being Index as a measure of SWB (scores range from 0-25). Moderate-to-vigorous-PA (MVPA) and SB were also measured by self-report. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyze the associations between MVPA, SB, and SWB, adjusting for age, BMI, and income.

Results: Mean SWB score was 16.96 ± 4.95. Participants engaged in a mean of 200.47 ± 139.43 min/wk of MVPA, and 54.33 ± 10.53 hours/wk of SB based on accelerometry. Participants self-reported 1114.55 ± 1480.31 min/wk of MVPA, and 40.39 ± 27.80 hr/wk of SB. SWB was not significantly associated with objectively measured MVPA (p=.10), objectively measured SB (p=.84), or self-reported PA (p=.31). However, self-reported SB was a significant predictor of SWB (β = -.227, p = .004).

Conclusions: The relationship between SB and SWB appears to depend on SB measurement method, possibly due to conceptual overlap between perceived SB and a lack of positive elements in one’s life. Null findings between PA and SWB may be due to selection biases associated with the active nature of participants recruited to a PA intervention.