Objective: To explore gender-specific variations related to activity intensity in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH). Evaluating whether psychological well-being enhances with increases in PA at recommended levels and above, in the general population. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Population-based, representative for Belgium. . Secondary analyses confirmed that differences in psychological complaints were significant for vigorous PA in men, and for moderate PA in women, whereas differences in emotional well-being were significant for walking exclusively in women. Conclusions: In the general population, the PA-MH relationship is always positive, regardless of activity intensity. In men, it addresses complaints (symptoms, palpable discomfort) and the optimal PA intensity is high. In women, it addresses complaints, but also distress (lowered mood, disturbing anxiety, altered wellbeing) and the PA intensity is mild.

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More sitting seems to be associated with poorer mental health, independently of gender, age, education, and PA. Moderation analyses showed that these associations may differ according to age and PA levels.

A strong association was found between PA and subjective health, and in addition, a significant negative association was found between BMI and subjective health. There was no relationship between WC and subjective health among Belgian adolescents and adults.