The role of volume and intensity on the association between physical activity and mental health among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between volume and intensity of physical activity and mental health among adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 604 Brazilian adolescents. Data were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. The outcomes were suicidal ideation, suspicion of common mental disorders, and negative self-perception of mental health. The independent variables were leisure physical activity at low and moderate-to-vigorous intensities. Volume was analyzed in two ways: any volume (presence vs absence), and volume classified according to amount in minutes of weekly physical activity: inactive (0), low active (1-419), and high active (≥420). Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Any volume of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was significantly associated with a lower prevalence ratio of all outcomes (PR 0.67 to 0.77). Compared to inactive adolescents, those who were classified as low active for moderate-to-vigorous intensity, presented a lower likelihood of having suicidal ideation, suspicion of common mental disorders, and negative self-perception of mental health (PR 0.70 to 0.76). Furthermore, high active adolescents in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity presented lower suicidal ideation and negative self-perception of mental health (PR 0.62 and 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: The promotion of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity at any volume can benefit the mental health of adolescents, however, no association was evidenced for low intensity physical activity.

The role of volume and intensity on the association between physical activity and mental health among adolescents: a cross-sectional study / O papel do volume e da intensidade na associação entre atividade física e saúde mental em adolescentes: um estudo transversal

Abstract Objective: To analyze the association between volume and intensity of physical activity and mental health among adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 604 Brazilian adolescents. Data were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. The outcomes were suicidal ideation, suspicion of common mental disorders, and negative self-perception of mental health. The independent variables were leisure physical activity at low and moderate-to-vigorous intensities. Volume was analyzed in two ways: any volume (presence vs absence), and volume classified according to amount in minutes of weekly physical activity: inactive (0), low active (1-419), and high active (≥420). Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios. Results: Any volume of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was significantly associated with a lower prevalence ratio of all outcomes (PR 0.67 to 0.77). Compared to inactive adolescents, those who were classified as low active for moderate-to-vigorous intensity, presented a lower likelihood of having suicidal ideation, suspicion of common mental disorders, and negative self-perception of mental health (PR 0.70 to 0.76). Furthermore, high active adolescents in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity presented lower suicidal ideation and negative self-perception of mental health (PR 0.62 and 0.57). Conclusions: The promotion of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity at any volume can benefit the mental health of adolescents, however, no association was evidenced for low intensity physical activity.

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre o volume e intensidade da atividade física e a saúde mental de adolescentes. Métodos: Estudo transversal que envolveu 604 adolescentes brasileiros. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário autorrelatado. Os desfechos foram ideação suicida, suspeita de transtornos mentais comuns e autopercepção negativa de saúde mental. A variável independente foi a atividade física em tempo livre nas intensidades leve e moderada a vigorosa. O volume foi analisado de duas formas: qualquer volume (presença vs. ausência); e de acordo com a quantidade de atividade física semanal em minutos — inativos (0), pouco ativos (1-419) e altamente ativos (≥420). A regressão de Poisson foi realizada para estimar as razões de prevalência (RP). Resultados: Qualquer volume de atividade física de intensidade moderada a vigorosa foi significativamente associado à menor razão de prevalência de todos os desfechos (RP 0,67 a 0,77). Comparados aos adolescentes inativos, aqueles que foram classificados como pouco ativos na intensidade moderada a vigorosa apresentaram menor probabilidade de ter ideação suicida, suspeita de transtornos mentais comuns e autopercepção negativa de saúde mental (RP 0,70 a 0,76). Da mesma forma, adolescentes altamente ativos na intensidade moderada a vigorosa apresentaram menor ideação suicida e autopercepção negativa de saúde mental (RP 0,62 e 0,57). Conclusões: A promoção de atividade física moderada a vigorosa em qualquer volume pode beneficiar a saúde mental de adolescentes, no entanto nenhuma associação foi evidenciada para a atividade física na intensidade leve.