Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Day-to-day variations in health behaviors and daily functioning: two intensive longitudinal studies

  • Published:
Journal of Behavioral Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In two intensive longitudinal studies we examined the daily dynamics in health behaviors and their associations with two important indicators of young adults’ daily functioning, namely, affect and academic performance. Over a period of 8 months, university students (Study 1: N = 292; Study 2: N = 304) reported sleep, physical activity, snacking, positive and negative affect, and learning goal achievement. A subsample wore an actigraph to provide an additional measurement of sleep and physical activity and participated in a controlled laboratory snacking situation. Multilevel structural equation models showed that better day-to-day sleep quality or more physical activity than usual, but not snacking, were associated with improved daily functioning, namely, affect and learning goal achievement. Importantly, self-report measurements of health behaviors correlated with behavioral measurements. These findings have the potential to inform health promotion programs aimed at supporting young adults in their daily functioning in good physical and mental health.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alwin, D. F., & Hauser, R. M. (1975). The decomposition of effects in path analysis. American Sociological Review, 40, 37–47. doi:10.2307/2094445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolger, N., & Laurenceau, J.-P. (2013). Intensive longitudinal methods: An introduction to diary and experience sampling research. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busch, V., Loyen, A., Lodder, M., Schrijvers, A. J. P., Yperen, T. A. V., & de Leeuw, J. R. J. (2014). The effects of adolescent health-related behavior on academic performance: A systematic review of the longitudinal evidence. Review of Educational Research, 84, 245–274. doi:10.3102/0034654313518441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buysse, D. J., Reynolds, C. F., 3rd, Monk, T. H., Berman, S. R., & Kupfer, D. J. (1989). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: A new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Research, 28, 193–213. doi:10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, L., & Yeomans, M. R. (2011). Individual differences in satiety response to carbohydrate and fat. Predictions from the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Appetite, 56, 316–323. doi:10.1016/J.Appet.2011.01.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, Y. K., Labban, J. D., Gapin, J. I., & Etnier, J. L. (2012). The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis. Brain Research, 1453, 87–101. doi:10.1016/J.Brainres.2012.02.068

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, K. Y., & Bassett, D. R. (2005). The technology of accelerometry-based activity monitors: Current and future. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37, S490–S500. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000185571.49104.82

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Curcio, G., Ferrara, M., & De Gennaro, L. (2006). Sleep loss, learning capacity and academic performance. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 10, 323–337. doi:10.1016/J.Smrv.2005.11.001

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flueckiger, L., Lieb, R., Meyer, A. H., & Mata, J. (2014). How health behaviors relate to academic performance via affect: An intensive longitudinal study. PLoS One, 9, e111080. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111080

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Godin, G., & Shephard, R. J. (1985). A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, 10, 141–146.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, A. S., Rief, W., & Hilbert, A. (2012). Laboratory snack food intake, negative mood, and impulsivity in youth with ADHD symptoms and episodes of loss of control eating. Where is the missing link? Appetite, 58, 672–678. doi:10.1016/J.Appet.2012.01.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hewlett, P., Smith, A., & Lucas, E. (2009). Grazing, cognitive performance and mood. Appetite, 52, 245–248. doi:10.1016/J.Appet.2008.09.008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hogan, C. L., Mata, J., & Carstensen, L. L. (2013). Exercise holds immediate benefits for affect and cognition in younger and older adults. Psychology and Aging, 28, 587–594. doi:10.1037/a0032634

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Howarth, N. C., Huang, T. T., Roberts, S. B., Lin, B. H., & McCrory, M. A. (2007). Eating patterns and dietary composition in relation to BMI in younger and older adults. International Journal of Obesity, 31, 675–684. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803456

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D. R., Ainsworth, B. E., Hartman, T. J., & Leon, A. S. (1993). A simultaneous evaluation of 10 commonly used physical activity questionnaires. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 25, 81–91. doi:10.1249/00005768-199301000-00012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kanning, M. K., Ebner-Priemer, U. W., & Schlicht, W. M. (2013). How to investigate within-subject associations between physical activity and momentary affective states in everyday life: A position statement based on a literature overview. Frontiers in Psychology,. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00187

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreutzmann, J. C., Havekes, R., Abel, T., & Meerlo, P. (2015). Sleep deprivation and hippocampal vulnerability: Changes in neuronal plasticity, neurogenesis and cognitive function. Neuroscience, 309, 173–190. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.04.053

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhl, J. (1994). Motivation and volition. In G. D’Ydewalle, P. Eelen, & P. Bertelson (Eds.), International perspectives on psychological science: The state of the art (Vol. 2, pp. 311–340). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucke, J., & Partridge, B. (2013). Towards a smart population: A public health framework for cognitive enhancement. Neuroethics, 6, 419–427. doi:10.1007/s12152-012-9167-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marmeleira, J. (2013). An examination of the mechanisms underlying the effects of physical activity on brain and cognition. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 10, 83–94. doi:10.1007/S11556-012-0105-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mata, J., Hogan, C. L., Joormann, J., Waugh, C. E., & Gotlib, I. H. (2013). Acute exercise attenuates negative affect following repeated sad mood inductions in persons who have recovered from depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 122, 45–50. doi:10.1037/A0029881

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mata, J., Thompson, R. J., Jaeggi, S. M., Buschkuehl, M., Jonides, J., & Gottlib, I. H. (2012). Walk on the bright side: Physical activity and affect in major depressive disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121, 297–308. doi:10.1037/a0023533

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R., Benelam, B., Stanner, S., & Buttriss, J. (2013). Is snacking good or bad for health: An overview. Nutrition Bulletin, 38, 302–322. doi:10.1111/nbu.12042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molenaar, P. C. (2004). A manifesto on psychology as idiographic science: Bringing the person back into scientific psychology, this time forever. Measurement, 2, 201–218. doi:10.1207/s15366359mea0204_1

    Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2012). Mplus user’s guide (7th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2012). Education at a glance 2012: Highlights. http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Documents/oecd-eag-2012-en.pdf

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2014). Education at a glance 2014: OECD indicators. doi:10.1787/eag-2014-en

  • Peluso, M. A., & Guerra de Andrade, L. H. (2005). Physical activity and mental health: The association between exercise and mood. Clinics, 60, 61–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piernas, C., & Popkin, B. M. (2010). Snacking increased among US adults between 1977 and 2006. The Journal of Nutrition, 140, 325–332. doi:10.3945/jn.109.112763

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2004). SPSS and SAS procedures for estimating indirect effects in simple mediation models. Behavior Research Methods Instruments & Computers, 36, 717–731. doi:10.3758/Bf03206553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Preacher, K. J., Zyphur, M. J., & Zhang, Z. (2010). A general multilevel SEM framework for assessing multilevel mediation. Psychological Methods, 15, 209–233. doi:10.1037/A0020141

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reed, J., & Ones, D. S. (2006). The effect of acute aerobic exercise on positive activated affect: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7, 477–514. doi:10.1016/J.Psychsport.2005.11.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richard, E. M., & Diefendorff, J. M. (2011). Self-regulation during a single performance episode: Mood-as-information in the absence of formal feedback. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 115, 99–110. doi:10.1016/J.Obhdp.2010.11.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riemann, D., & Backhaus, J. (1996). Behandlung von Schlafstörungen [Treatment of sleep disorders]. Weinheim: Beltz Psychologie.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, S. B., Lauver, K., Le, H., Davis, D., Langley, R., & Carlstrom, A. (2004). Do psychosocial and study skill factors predict college outcomes? A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 261–288. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.130.2.261

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, S. B., Oh, I. S., Le, H., & Button, C. (2009). Intervention effects on college performance and retention as mediated by motivational, emotional, and social control factors: Integrated meta-analytic path analyses. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94, 1163–1184. doi:10.1037/A0015738

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roecke, C. (2006). Intraindividual variability in positive and negative affect. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Free University Berlin, Germany. http://www.diss.fu-berlin.de/diss/receive/FUDISS_thesis_000000002464

  • Schwarz, N., & Clore, G. L. (2003). Mood as information: 20 years later. Psychological Inquiry, 14, 296–303. doi:10.1207/S15327965pli1403&4_20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, M. (2014). Mood, food, and obesity. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1–20. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. P. (2011). Snacking habit, mental health, and cognitive performance. Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research, 9, 47–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. P., & Wilds, A. (2009). Effects of cereal bars for breakfast and mid-morning snacks on mood and memory. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 60, 63–69. doi:10.1080/09637480802438305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sonnentag, S., Binnewies, C., & Mojza, E. J. (2008). “Did you have a nice evening?” A day-level study on recovery experiences, sleep and affect. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 674–683. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.93.3.674

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steenhuis, I. (2009). Guilty or not? Feelings of guilt about food among college women. Appetite, 52, 531–534. doi:10.1016/J.Appet.2008.12.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trost, S. G., Pate, R. R., Freedson, P. S., Sallis, J. F., & Taylor, W. C. (2000). Using objective physical activity measures with youth: How many days of monitoring are needed? Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32, 426–431. doi:10.1097/00005768-200002000-00025

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vandekerckhove, M., & Cluydts, R. (2010). The emotional brain and sleep: An intimate relationship. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 14, 219–226. doi:10.1016/J.Smrv.2010.01.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • von Dawans, B., Kirschbaum, C., & Heinrichs, M. (2011). The Trier Social Stress Test for Groups (TSST-G): A new research tool for controlled simultaneous social stress exposure in a group format. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 36, 514–522. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.08.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, R. (2011). Lifestyle and mental health. American Psychologist, 66, 579–592. doi:10.1037/A0021769

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063–1070. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weikert, M., Motl, R. W., Suh, Y., McAuley, E., & Wynn, D. (2010). Accelerometry in persons with multiple sclerosis: Measurement of physical activity or walking mobility? Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 290, 6–11. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2009.12.021

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. L., Lau, E. Y. Y., Wan, J. H. Y., Cheung, S. F., Hui, C. H., & Mok, D. S. Y. (2013). The interplay between sleep and mood in predicting academic functioning, physical health and psychological health: A longitudinal study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 74, 271–277. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.08.014

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (1946). WHO definition of health. Paper presented at the International Health Conference, New York.

  • World Health Organization. (2002). The world health report 2002: Reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Geneva: Author.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Grant 140991 of the Swiss National Science Foundation and a grant by the Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel from March 13, 2012.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, L13, 17, 68131, Mannheim, Germany

    Lavinia Flueckiger & Jutta Mata

  2. Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 60/62, 4055, Basel, Switzerland

    Lavinia Flueckiger, Roselind Lieb, Andrea H. Meyer & Cornelia Witthauer

  3. Division of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 60/62, 4055, Basel, Switzerland

    Jutta Mata

Authors
  1. Lavinia Flueckiger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roselind Lieb
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Andrea H. Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cornelia Witthauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jutta Mata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lavinia Flueckiger.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Lavinia Flueckiger, Roselind Lieb, Andrea H. Meyer, Cornelia Witthauer, and Jutta Mata declare that they do not have any conflict of interest.

Human and animal rights and Informed consent

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standard. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Flueckiger, L., Lieb, R., Meyer, A.H. et al. Day-to-day variations in health behaviors and daily functioning: two intensive longitudinal studies. J Behav Med 40, 307–319 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9787-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9787-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation