Regular Leisure-Time Physical Activity Is Positively Associated With Happiness Occurrence Among Young Adults In Taiwan

Abstract

Background: This study aims to examine the relationship between regular leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and happiness among young adults in Taiwan. Methods: A cross-sectional nationwide study was conducted, and data derived from the National Physical Activity Survey in Taiwan 2020 were reviewed. The participants included 5,611 men and 5,029 women, aged 23 to 44 years. Each participant completed a computer-assisted telephone interviewing with a standardized, structured questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, LTPA behavior, self-reported health status, and self-evaluations (comprising height, body weight, and happiness). Results: By using multiple regression, after potential confounders adjustment, we observed that regular LTPA was significantly associated with happiness scores for men (β = 0.043, p = 0.001) and women (β = 0.050, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, multiple logistic regression results indicated that with the non-regular LTPA as a baseline, significant associations were observed both for men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.410, 95% CI: 1.173-1.693, p < 0.0001) and women (OR = 1.424, 95% CI: 1.169-1.735, p < 0.0001) at regular LTPA. Conclusions: The current study suggested that regular LTPA, potentially improve the occurrence of happiness among young men. Moreover, this positive effect of regular LTPA was observed for the occurrence of happiness in young women.