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The Associations of Physical Activity and Health-Risk Behaviors toward Depressive Symptoms among College Students: Gender and Obesity Disparities

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  • Samantha Moss

    (Kinesiology Department, State University of New York at Cortland, Cortland, NY 13045, USA)

  • Xiaoxia Zhang

    (School of Sport Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA)

  • Ziyad Ben Taleb

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

  • Xiangli Gu

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

Abstract

Engaging in health-risk behaviors (HRBs) may be correlated with depressive symptoms among college students, but these relationships require more research. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of physical activity levels (i.e., light [LPA] and moderate–vigorous [MVPA]) and HRBs (i.e., sedentary behavior [screen-based and non-screen-based behavior] and cigarette and e-cigarette tobacco use) with depressive symptoms in a sample of college students. Physical activity levels and HRBs were assessed through validated questionnaires. In total, 366 students participated (M age = 22.59 ± 3.54; 60.1% female; 52.9% normal weight). E-cigarette use in males (β = 0.23, p < 0.05) and screen-based sedentary behavior in females (β = 0.14, p < 0.05) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. In the overweight/obese group, screen-based sedentary behaviors (β = 0.19, p < 0.05) and e-cigarette use (β = 0.23, p < 0.01) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. Females reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (M female = 18.23 vs. M male = 14.81; η 2 = 0.03) and less MVPA (M male = 52.83 vs. M female = 41.09; η 2 = 0.06) than males. Enhancing mental health by improving physical activity and eliminating HRBs should be tailored toward at-risk demographics.

Suggested Citation

  • Samantha Moss & Xiaoxia Zhang & Ziyad Ben Taleb & Xiangli Gu, 2024. "The Associations of Physical Activity and Health-Risk Behaviors toward Depressive Symptoms among College Students: Gender and Obesity Disparities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:401-:d:1364105
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Takumi Nakagawa & Ibuki Koan & Chong Chen & Toshio Matsubara & Kosuke Hagiwara & Huijie Lei & Masako Hirotsu & Hirotaka Yamagata & Shin Nakagawa, 2020. "Regular Moderate- to Vigorous-Intensity Physical Activity Rather Than Walking Is Associated with Enhanced Cognitive Functions and Mental Health in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Nora Wiium & Kyrre Breivik & Bente Wold, 2015. "Growth Trajectories of Health Behaviors from Adolescence through Young Adulthood," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Caroline North & C. Nathan Marti & Alexandra Loukas, 2021. "Longitudinal Impact of Depressive Symptoms and Peer Tobacco Use on the Number of Tobacco Products Used by Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Huixuan Zhou & Xiaotong Dai & Litian Lou & Chan Zhou & Wei Zhang, 2021. "Association of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity with Depression in Sport University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.
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