Depressive and anxiety symptoms differ based on doses of physical activity and screen-time among adolescents
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Higher levels of screen-time (ST) and physical activity (PA) are associated with better and worse mental health outcomes in adolescents, respectively. The concurrent dose-response relationship between ST and PA with mental health is not yet known. Purpose: This study examined associations of ST and PA with depressive and anxiety symptoms among 1756 adolescents (15.2±1.6y; 995 female) in Ireland. Methods: Participants completed the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and self-reported weekly ST and PA level (low, moderate and high; TV, computer and phone use). One-way ANOVA examined differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms between dose categories of each ST mode, PA level and their interactions. Results: Depressive symptoms were significantly higher for high levels of TV, computer and phone use compared to lower levels (all p<0.05, d=0.17 to 0.84), the same was observed for anxiety in phone and computer use (all p<0.05, d=0.22 to 0.61). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were significantly lower for higher PA levels (all p<0.001, d=-0.86 to -0.21). When considered together, significant differences in depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed across ST, PA interaction categories for ST modalities (all p<0.001 d=-2.01 to 1.53). Conclusions: As PA dose increases in all ST categories, mental health outcomes were progressively better. The opposite was observed for ST, illustrating a bidirectional, dose-response relationship. These findings show the dose-response relationship between ST and PA levels with mental health, separately and concurrently, and demonstrate the importance of considering movements jointly in adolescents. Funding: N/A.
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W6961308624