<p>Intensity of Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in College Students: Fitness Improvement Tactics in Youth (FITYou) Project</p>

Abstract

To investigate whether the physical activity at different intensities is correlated with depressive symptoms in college students. Patient and Methods: This cross-sectional study was a part of the Fitness Improvement Tactics in Youth Project, which was conducted in 2017. A total of 2,820 college freshmen aged 15-24 years were included in this study, of whom 699 (24.8%) were males and 2,121 (75.2%) were females. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-rating Depression Scale. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Covariates included sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, and health-related factors. Results: A total of 560 (19.9%) college students had depressive symptoms. Total physical activity levels (METs•hour/week) were positively associated with frequency of breakfast intake (p = 0.050) but no other participant characteristics. Logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the highest quartile of physical activity was lower than in the lowest quartile when adjusted for sex, age, ethnicity, only child, smoking status, alcohol use, breakfast frequency, daily sleep duration, body mass index, grip strength, and the number of metabolic syndrome components (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals (CI)]: 0.75 [0.58, 0.98], p = 0.036). Furthermore, high physical activity levels of low-intensity tended to moderately correlate to lower prevalence of depressive symptoms (odds ratios [95% CI]: Q1, 0.71 [0.55, 0.91], Q2, 0.77 [0.59, 1.01], Q3, 0.75 [0.57, 0.98], p for trend = 0.037). Associations of moderate and vigorous physical activity with depressive symptoms were not found. For secondary outcomes, sex-stratified analysis showed that similar findings were only found in females, but not males. Conclusion: This study indicated that total physical activity and low-intensity physical activity were inversely associated with depressive symptoms in Chinese college students. All these observations showed gender differences.

Physical activity and mental health. Is achieving the physical activity guidelines associated with less depressive symptoms among undergraduates at the University of Turku, Finland?

“…In terms of the PA-depression relationship among this sample of Finns, although the achievement of both the MPA and VPA guidelines were negatively associated with depressive symptoms, the relationships were not statistically significant. Such findings support other research among college freshmen aged 15-24 years, where there were no associations between MPA and VPA and depressive symptoms (34). Nevertheless, our findings of the lack of significant association between MPA and VPA and depressive symptoms contrast with some studies, where students who reported regular exercise had significantly fewer depressive symptoms (4).…”

The Mediating Role of Orthorexia in the Relationship between Physical Activity and Fear of COVID-19 among University Students in Poland

“…The present study aims to examine the mediating role of orthorexia on the relationships between PA and fear of COVID-19. Previous research found that PA is negatively associated with anxiety and depression as well as negative emotions in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic [6,24,86,87]. The physically inactive group had higher scores of anxiety and depression than the physically active group [24].…”

“…Moreover, insufficient physical activity was a predictor of high anxiety among university students from Poland and Ukraine during the COVID-19 pandemic [6]. The total physical activity level and low-intensity physical activity were inversely associated with depressive symptoms in Chinese college students [86]. A longitudinal study of college students in China indicates that physical activity directly alleviated general negative emotions [87].…”

The Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation to Mental Health on Adolescent

“…A survey of the impact of health protocols among adolescents in Poland showed that university students experienced high levels of stress and anxiety during the pandemic [2]. Teenagers in the United States who are synonymous with various kinds of activities experience activity restrictions.…”