Changes in 24‐h Movement Behaviors During Relationship and Parenthood Transitions: A Compositional Data Analysis




Suorsa, Kristin; Lindstedt, Milja; Rasmussen, Charlotte Lund; Leskinen, Tuija; Pasanen, Jesse; Rovio, Suvi; Heinonen, Olli J.; Viikari, Jorma; Rönnemaa, Tapani; Niinikoski, Harri; Raitakari, Olli; Stenholm, Sari; Pahkala, Katja

PublisherWiley

2024

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

e14751

34

11

0905-7188

1600-0838

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14751

https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14751

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/459076620



There is scarcity of studies using device-based measures to examine how relationship and parenthood transitions modify 24-h movement behaviors. This study examined how the composition of 24-h movement behaviors changes during these life transitions. Young adults (n = 170, mean age 25.6 years, SD 0.6) from the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) wore wrist-worn accelerometers for 1 week and completed questionnaire at ages 26 and 31 years. Participants were categorized by relationship status into single (16%), those transitioning from single to partnered (31%), partnered (47%), and separated (7%), and by parenthood status into non-parents (73%), new parents (19%), and parents (8%). Changes in daily movement behaviors, including sleep, sedentary behavior (SED), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), were examined using compositional linear mixed models. In general, LPA and MVPA decreased relative to sleep and SED (p = 0.007). Differences emerged between LPA and MVPA in relationship and parenthood groups (p for group × time interaction 0.008 and 0.001). Those transitioning to partnership decreased MVPA by 17 min/day, while partnered and separated individuals showed no notable MVPA change but decreased LPA by 14 and 43 min/day. Single individuals and non-parents decreased LPA and MVPA in similar proportions. New parents decreased MVPA by 20 min/day, while parents increased it by 19 min/day. Becoming first-time parent and starting relationship was associated with decline of MVPA. Our results suggest the importance of considering these life transitions and providing guidance for maintaining physical activity despite changes in life situations.


Financial support was received from the Academy of Finland (grants 206374, 294834, 251360, 275595, 307996, 322112 and 332030); the Juho Vainio Foundation; the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research; the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture; the Finnish Cultural Foundation; the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation; Special Governmental grants for Health Sciences Research, Turku University Hospital; the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation; the Finnish Medical Foundation; and the Turku University Foundation.


Last updated on 2025-19-02 at 14:17