Association between Depressive Symptoms, Physical Activity, and Health Factors in Hispanic Emerging Adults

Abstract

Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle behavior known for reducing symptoms of and being a risk factor for depression and mental health disorders. However, emerging adults (ages 18–25) struggle to meet recommended amounts. In this study, we explore the association between physical activity, depressive symptoms, and health factors in 137 Hispanic emerging adults. Using a cross-sectional survey design, sociodemographic information, depressive symptoms (CES-D score), physical activity (IPAQ score), body composition, and blood pressure measures were obtained. Statistical analyses included correlation and regression analyses. More than half of the participants demonstrated depressive symptomology (59.1%) and body fat percentage greater than 25% (64.2%). Body fat percentage, lean body mass, stress, and heart rate demonstrated notable associations with depressive symptoms and physical activity. When measured continuously and categorically, IPAQ was not a significant predictor of depressive symptoms. When used as a binary variable with a cutoff of 600 MET min/week, IPAQ score revealed a negative relationship with CES-D score (β = −0.169, SE = 2.748, p = 0.034). Our results indicate that a threshold of physical activity, 600 MET min/week, may confer protective effects against depressive symptoms. Future research should investigate the context and quality of physical activity to address mental health disparities in this underrepresented population.