IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v22y2025i2p201-d1580356.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impact of Physical Activity on Health Behavior Change and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Epidemic Among Chinese Adults: China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

Author

Listed:
  • Wupeng Yin

    (Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Niliarys Sifre-Acosta

    (Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Daisy Chamorro

    (Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Susmita Chowdhury

    (Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Nan Hu

    (Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
    Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to daily life, affecting regular physical activity (PA) and health behaviors worldwide. This study investigates the associations between PA domains and changes in health behaviors and mental health outcomes among middle-aged and old Chinese adults. Methods: Using wave 5 cross-sectional data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we analyzed 17,180 adults aged 45 and above, focusing on health behavior changes such as smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary adjustments, and panic purchasing, as well as mental health outcomes like anxiety and fear. PA was classified by intensity levels—light, moderate, and vigorous—and by activity purposes—total, leisure, and occupational. Results: The findings indicate that leisure PA is associated with healthier behaviors, including lower odds of increased smoking (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57–0.90) and alcohol consumption (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54–0.90), whereas occupational PA is linked to adverse behavioral outcomes, such as higher odds of smoking (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.15–1.83) and alcohol use (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10–1.86). Additionally, participants engaged in all domains of PA were more likely to experience anxiety and fear compared to those who were physically inactive. Conclusions: Our limited understanding of the role PA has on behavioral and mental health during public health crises highlights the importance of having tailored strategies to enhance resilience in similar future scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Wupeng Yin & Niliarys Sifre-Acosta & Daisy Chamorro & Susmita Chowdhury & Nan Hu, 2025. "Impact of Physical Activity on Health Behavior Change and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Epidemic Among Chinese Adults: China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:2:p:201-:d:1580356
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/2/201/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/2/201/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anna Zalewska & Monika Gałczyk & Marek Sobolewski & Irena Białokoz-Kalinowska, 2021. "Depression as Compared to Level of Physical Activity and Internet Addiction among Polish Physiotherapy Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Mengping Zhou & Li Kuang & Nan Hu, 2023. "The Association between Physical Activity and Intrinsic Capacity in Chinese Older Adults and Its Connection to Primary Care: China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Kelvin I. Afrashtehfar & Carlos A. Jurado & Amaweya Al-Sammarraie & Musab H. Saeed, 2023. "Consequences of COVID-19 and Its Variants: Understanding the Physical, Oral, and Psychological Impact," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-5, February.
    4. Hélène Rossinot & Romain Fantin & Julien Venne, 2020. "Behavioral Changes During COVID-19 Confinement in France: A Web-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-15, November.
    5. Liz O’Brien & Jack Forster, 2021. "Physical Activity Supporting Connection to Nature, and Helping to Maintain Wellbeing during the Covid-19 Restrictions in England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
    6. Verity Hailey & Alexandra Burton & Mark Hamer & Daisy Fancourt & Abigail Fisher, 2022. "Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK: A Qualitative Analysis of Free-Text Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.
    7. Verónica Violant-Holz & M. Gloria Gallego-Jiménez & Carina S. González-González & Sarah Muñoz-Violant & Manuel José Rodríguez & Oriol Sansano-Nadal & Myriam Guerra-Balic, 2020. "Psychological Health and Physical Activity Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
    8. Mengfei Li & Qianhui Wang & Jing Shen, 2022. "The Impact of Physical Activity on Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-17, May.
    9. Dan Pan & Jiaqing Yang & Guzhen Zhou & Fanbin Kong, 2020. "The influence of COVID-19 on agricultural economy and emergency mitigation measures in China: A text mining analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, October.
    10. Jennifer L. Scheid & Corinne Edwards & Michael Seils & Sarah L. West, 2022. "Perceived Exertion during Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity While Mask Wearing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Qingyuan Luo & Peng Zhang & Yijia Liu & Xiujie Ma & George Jennings, 2022. "Intervention of Physical Activity for University Students with Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention and Control Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Xiaodong Zheng & Yinglin Wang & Yue Zhang & Tinghe Deng & Yuanzheng Yang, 2022. "Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dietary Consumption among Chinese Residents: Evidence from Provincial-Level Panel Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Raquel Lara & Martha Fernández-Daza & Sara Zabarain-Cogollo & María Angustias Olivencia-Carrión & Manuel Jiménez-Torres & María Demelza Olivencia-Carrión & Adelaida Ogallar-Blanco & Débora Godoy-Izqui, 2021. "Active Coping and Anxiety Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spanish Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Federica Gentili & Giulia Cafiero & Marco Alfonso Perrone & Massimiliano Bianco & Annamaria Salvati & Ugo Giordano & Stefani Silva Kikina & Paolo Guccione & Andrea De Zorzi & Lorenzo Galletti & Fabriz, 2021. "The Effects of Physical Inactivity and Exercise at Home in Young Patients with Congenital Heart Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-10, September.
    5. Andy Pringle & Nicky Kime & Stephen Zwolinsky & Zoe Rutherford & Clare M. P. Roscoe, 2022. "An Investigation into the Physical Activity Experiences of People Living with and beyond Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, March.
    6. Zander S. Venter & Adam Sadilek & Charlotte Stanton & David N. Barton & Kristin Aunan & Sourangsu Chowdhury & Aaron Schneider & Stefano Maria Iacus, 2021. "Mobility in Blue-Green Spaces Does Not Predict COVID-19 Transmission: A Global Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-12, November.
    7. Valentin Benzing & Sanaz Nosrat & Alireza Aghababa & Vassilis Barkoukis & Dmitriy Bondarev & Yu-Kai Chang & Boris Cheval & Muhammet Cihat Çiftçi & Hassan M. Elsangedy & Maria Luisa M. Guinto & Zhijian, 2021. "Staying Active under Restrictions: Changes in Type of Physical Exercise during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    8. Jiyoung Oh & Haengwoo Lee & Heykyung Park, 2021. "Effects on Heart Rate Variability of Stress Level Responses to the Properties of Indoor Environmental Colors: A Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-20, August.
    9. Yu-Hsiu Chu & Yao-Chuen Li, 2022. "The Impact of Online Learning on Physical and Mental Health in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-10, March.
    10. Marlene Rosa & Raúl Antunes & Pedro Marques & Rúben Coelho & Patrícia Mendes & Roberta Frontini, 2023. "A narrative exploratory study on the perspectives about physical exercise practise in a sample of Portuguese elderly," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 991-1009, April.
    11. Wenyi Yang & Xueli Wang & Keke Zhang & Zikan Ke, 2020. "COVID-19, Urbanization Pattern and Economic Recovery: An Analysis of Hubei, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-21, December.
    12. Christina Amo & Najla Almansour & Idethia S. Harvey, 2022. "Physical Activity and Mental Health Declined during the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.
    13. Diego Alonso-Fernández & Rosana Fernández-Rodríguez & Yaiza Taboada-Iglesias & Águeda Gutiérrez-Sánchez, 2022. "Impact of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition and Depressive Symptoms in Adults under Home Confinement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.
    14. Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Suib & Norlida Hanim Mohd Salleh & Mohd Fazim Ahmad, 2023. "The economic well-being of smallholders and challenges during COVID-19 pandemic: A review," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(1), pages 35-44.
    15. Hiroki Annaka & Tomonori Nomura & Hiroshi Moriyama, 2022. "Sedentary Time and Cognitive Impairment in Patients Using Long-Term Oxygen Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-10, February.
    16. Anna Mazur & Elżbieta Bartoń, 2022. "The Structure of the Relationship between Physical Activity and Psychosocial Functioning of Women and Men during the COVID-19 Epidemic in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-22, September.
    17. Kele Ding & Jingzhen Yang & Ming-Kai Chin & Lindsay Sullivan & J. Larry Durstine & Verónica Violant-Holz & Giyasettin Demirhan & Nara R.C. Oliveira & Biljana Popeska & Garry Kuan & Waheeda Khan & Jian, 2021. "Physical Activity among Adults Residing in 11 Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-16, July.
    18. Denis Frank Cunza-Aranzábal & Wilter C. Morales-García & Jacksaint Saintila & Salomón Huancahuire-Vega & Percy G. Ruiz Mamani, 2022. "Psychometric Analysis of the Quarantine Coping Strategies Scale (Q-COPE) in the Spanish Language," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-14, November.
    19. Armando Monterrosa Quintero & Ana Rita Echeverri Rios & Juan Pedro Fuentes-Garcia & Juan Carlos Gonzalez Sanchez, 2022. "Levels of Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being in Non-Athletes and Martial Art Athletes during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, March.
    20. Teresa Rubio-Tomás & Maria Skouroliakou & Dimitrios Ntountaniotis, 2022. "Lockdown Due to COVID-19 and Its Consequences on Diet, Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Other Aspects of Daily Life Worldwide: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-41, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:2:p:201-:d:1580356. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.