Open Access

ARTICLE

Linking 24-h Movement Behavior Guidelines to Cognitive Difficulties, Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Preterm Youth

Zhihui Cheng¹, Ailikute Aikeremu¹, Yanping Gao^1,*, Zhihao Zhang¹, Anthony G. Delli Paoli², Paolo Marcello Cunha³, Alyx Taylor⁴, Fabian Herold⁵, Liye Zou¹

1 Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
2 Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
3 Metropolitan University Center of Maringá, Maringá-PR, 87020, Brazil
4 School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, AECC University College, Bournemouth, BH5 2DF, UK
5 Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, 14476, Germany

* Corresponding Author: Yanping Gao. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2024, 26(8), 651-662. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2024.055351

Received 24 June 2024; Accepted 09 August 2024; Issue published 30 August 2024

Abstract

Background: Given the heightened risk of developmental challenges associated with preterm birth, it is crucial to explore interventions that may ameliorate potential adverse outcomes. This study aimed to examine whether meeting the 24-h movement behavior (24-HMB) guidelines, which include recommendations on physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep (SL), is related to indicators of cognitive difficulties, internalizing problems (e.g., depression and anxiety), and externalizing problems (e.g., difficulties in making friends and arguing) in a sample of preterm youth (children and adolescents born preterm). Method: In this cross-sectional study, data from 3410 preterm youth (aged 6 to 17 years) were included for data analyses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate associations between meeting the 24-HMB guidelines and the above-mentioned health outcomes, while controlling for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Results: The prevalence of meeting 24-HMB guidelines varied across independent and integrated components of the 24-HMB guidelines. Meeting the ST guideline alone (p < 0.05) and integrated guidelines (i.e., ST + SL and ST + SL + PA) were associated with fewer cognitive difficulties and reduced internalizing and externalizing problems (p < 0.05). Specifically, meeting the SL guideline alone and integrated guidelines (i.e., SL + ST) were associated with lower odds of depression and anxiety (p < 0.01). Additionally, meeting independent, and integrated (PA and/or ST) guidelines were associated with less pronounced difficulties in making friends and arguing (p < 0.05). Meeting 24-HMB guidelines in an isolated and integrated manner are linked to better cognitive performance and fewer internalizing and externalizing problems in preterm youth. Conclusion: Results suggest that advocating for the implementation of the 24-HMB guidelines may reduce cognitive challenges and behavioral issues, which is of high relevance for improving public health. Future longitudinal studies in preterm youth should investigate how modifying specific 24-HMB behaviors, especially ST, influence cognitive difficulties, internalizing and externalizing problems in this vulnerable population.

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