Time-use behaviors and their association with cognitive and mental health
Time-use behaviors and their association with cognitive and mental health
This thesis of Rosa Palazuelos Gonzalez examines how time-use in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep are associated with cognitive and mental health outcomes in adults. Rather than studying these behaviors in isolation, the thesis applies analytical approaches that acknowledge the finite nature of time and the interdependence of movement behaviors within a day, using data from the Lifelines Cohort Study in the Netherlands and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
The first part of the thesis focuses on cognitive health. Using isotemporal substitution analysis and latent class analysis, the studies demonstrate that reallocating time from sedentary behaviors (particularly television watching) to physical activity or sleep is associated with better cognitive functioning and lower cognitive decline. Distinct patterns of daily activity characterized by high sedentary time and low physical activity were linked to poorer cognitive outcomes over time.
The second part addresses mental health outcomes, primarily using compositional data analysis. The findings show that reallocating time toward physical activity, especially sports-related activities, is associated with a lower risk of depression and anxiety. In contrast, while reducing time spent watching television is associated with a lower risk of depression, it is associated with a higher risk of incident anxiety. These associations varied by age, highlighting the need for age-specific prevention strategies.
Overall, this thesis shows that daily time allocation and reallocations matter for cognitive and mental health. The findings support public health strategies that promote not only physical activity in specific domains, but also reductions in sedentary behavior and adequate sleep within a 24-hour framework.