Physical activity improves mental health

Relationship between physical activity, screen-related sedentary behaviors and anxiety among adolescents in less developed areas of China

This study aimed to explore the association between physical activity, screen-related sedentary behaviors, and anxiety. The current study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify homogenous subtypes of anxiety among adolescents in less-developed areas of China. Data were aggregated from 6 schools in the less-developed areas of China in September 2018. In total, 900 students were evaluated using the 100-item Mental Health Test (MHT) and Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) questionnaire. The LPA was conducted to explore the potential classification of anxiety, which makes full use of all the sample data and explore heterogeneous classifications within groups. Logistic regression was used for the multifactor analysis. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant. The entropy value suggested that the model with 3 latent profile was the best choice. There were 223 adolescents in the severe anxiety group, accounting for 24.78%. Logistics regression analysis of anxiety revealed that the risk of severe anxiety in boys was lower (odds ratio [OR] = 0.317, P < .001) than in girls. Students had a significantly lower probability of suffering from severe anxiety in using cellphones or computers ≤ 2 hours/day than those used cellphones or computers＞2 hours/day (OR = 0.391, P = .004). Decreasing screen-related sedentary behaviors should be a target of community and school-based interventions, because high screen-related sedentary behaviors were associated with higher odds of anxiety among adolescents in less developed area of China.

Physical Activity during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Investigating the Reliance on Digital Technologies, Perceived Benefits, Barriers and the Impact of Affect

The measures to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have been concentrated on inviting people to stay at home. This has reduced opportunities to exercise while also shedding some light on the importance of physical health. Based on an online survey, this paper investigated physical activity behaviours of a Belgians sample (n = 427) during the lockdown period between the end of May 2020 and the beginning of June 2020 and found that, during this period, the gap between sufficiently and insufficiently active individuals widened even more. This paper analysed important moderators of physical activity behaviours, such as barriers and benefits to exercise, digital support used to exercise, and individuals’ emotional well-being. Descriptive analysis and analyses of variance indicated that, generally, individuals significantly increased their engagement in exercise, especially light- and moderate-intensity activities, mostly accepted the listed benefits but refused the listed barriers, increased their engagement in digital support and did not score high on any affective measures. A comparison between sufficiently active and insufficiently active individuals during the lockdown showed that the former engaged even more in physical activity, whereas the latter exercised equally (i.e., not enough) or even less compared to before the lockdown. By means of a logistic regression, five key factors of belonging to the sufficiently active group were revealed and discussed. Practical implications for government and policies are reviewed.

Interplay between adolescent physical activity and life satisfaction: gender as potential effect modifier

OBJECTIVES

Recently, adolescents fall short of adequate physical activity (PA) requirements, though the benefits of active lifestyle are well documented. In this study, we analyzed how the PA is associated with life satisfaction among adolescent girls and boys.

METHODS

Data for this study were collected in April-June 2018 during the international HBSC survey in Lithuania (n = 4191, aged 13.9 ± 1.69 years). From self-report questionnaire, the indicators reflecting PA, life satisfaction, body image, somatic complaints, wellbeing, demographic, and socioeconomic status were analyzed. Bivariate analysis used Chi-squared test, multivariate associations-logistic regression method.

RESULTS

Moderate-to-vigorous PA was sufficient among 18% of schoolchildren, while 66% of respondents met vigorous PA requirements. For boys vigorous PA can be regarded as the predictor of better life satisfaction (OR = 1.63, p < 0.05), while for girls the moderate-to-vigorous PA is observed as a risk factor for lower life satisfaction at borderline significance (OR = 0.67, p = 0.053).

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing the PA and life satisfaction interplay, we identify essential differences between genders. Schools, parents, and policy makers should enable the adolescents with more opportunities and equipment for vigorous rather than moderate-to-vigorous PA.

Low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour are associated with adolescents' suicidal vulnerability: Evidence from 52 low- and middle-income countries

AIM

To examine the relationships of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with suicidal thoughts and behaviour among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

Global School-based Student Health Survey data from 206 357 students (14.6 ± 1.18 years; 51% female) in 52 LMICs were used. Students reported on suicidal ideation, suicide planning, suicide attempts, PA, leisure-time SB and socio-demographic characteristics. Multilevel mixed-effects generalised linear modelling was used to examine the associations.

RESULTS

High leisure-time SB (≥3 hours/day) was independently associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation, suicide planning and suicide attempts for both male and female adolescents. Insufficient PA (<60 mins/day) was not associated with higher odds of ideation for either sex; however, it was associated with planning and attempts for male adolescents. The combination of insufficient PA and high SB, compared with sufficient PA and low SB, was associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation and suicide planning for both male and female adolescents, and suicide attempts for male adolescents.

CONCLUSION

High SB may be an indicator of suicidal vulnerability among adolescents in LMICs. Low PA may be a more important risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours among male, than female, adolescents. Promoting active lifestyle should be integrated into suicide prevention programmes in resource-poor settings.

Correlation of physical activity with stress, depression and anxiety in female students

Background/Aim: The period of beginning of studies is a stressful period of life in which students are expected to develop skills and abilities with which they will be able to take on the most important roles in all areas of social activity. Physical activity (PA) triggers and remodels mental health. The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between PA and stress, anxiety and depression in female students. Methods: Epidemiological observational study was performed and included a representative sample of 408 healthy female students aged 19 to 22 years. Questionnaires were used and anthropometric measurement of weight and body mass index (BMI) calculation was performed. Used questionnaires were: a socio-demographic questionnaire, standardised tests: DASS-21 test (short version) for mental health assessment and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ test (long version). Results: Mean age of female students was 20.5 ± 0.72 years, average height 168.65 ± 6.01 cm, body weight 63.09 ± 9.9 kg, and BMI 22.1 ± 3.2. A significant negative correlation was found between high PA and anxiety (r =-0.160, p = 0.001), PA and depression (r =-0.118, p = 0.01), while the category of stress had a low correlation with PA. Conclusion: This research shows that a high level of PA has no effect on stress but has an effect on reducing anxiety and depression. Carefully planned physical activities can affect the emotional status of young female students.