Association Between Exercise Behavior, Health Status and Anxiety levels Among Registered Nurses at Udon Thani Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. Sasinee Apichonkit, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Udon Thani Hospital.

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional study conducted to examine the association between exercise behavior and anxiety levels, and to compare the prevalence of health conditions related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among registered nurses at Udon Thani Hospital. Data were obtained from the hospital’s computerized annual health check-up database for the year 2025. Eligible participants were categorized into two groups: exercising and non-exercising nurses. The exercise group was defined as those who exercised for at least 30 minutes per day, three or more days per week, while the non-exercise group was defined as those who exercised less than this threshold. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Thai version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Thai HADS). Health outcomes included body mass index, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was also compared between the two groups.

            Results: Data from 1,208 registered nurses were included in the analysis. Of these, 1,012 nurses (83.77%) were in the exercise group, while 196 nurses (16.23%) were in the non-exercise group. The median age of the exercise group was higher than that of the non-exercise group (35 vs. 32 years old). A higher proportion of nurses in the exercise group worked in outpatient departments, specialized units, and support services compared with those in the non-exercise group. The mean anxiety scores in both groups were within the low-anxiety range and had no statistically significant difference (5.29±3.81 vs. 5.41±3.07, respectively). The prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety was also comparable between the two groups (19.27% vs. 21.94%). The exercise group had significantly lower body mass index (23.82±4.67 kg/m²) and total cholesterol levels (201.06±40.05 mg/dL) compared with the non-exercise group (24.86±5.85 kg/m², and 212.26±43.86 mg/dL, respectively). There were no significant differences in blood pressure or triglyceride levels between the groups. Additionally, the exercise group had a lower prevalence of obesity than the non-exercise group (adjusted odds ratio = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.40–0.76, p < 0.001), while the risks of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia did not differ significantly between the two groups.

            Conclusion: Registered nurses who exercised had lower body mass index and total cholesterol levels, and a lower prevalence of obesity compared to those who did not exercise. However, there was no significant difference in anxiety levels between the two groups.