Associations of physical activity with positive mental health: A population-based study

Nina Tamminen,Jaakko Reinikainen,Kaija Appelqvist-Schmidlechner,Katja Borodulin,Tomi Mäki-Opas,Pia Solin

doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100319

Abstract

IntroductionThe relationship between physical activity (PA) and positive mental health (PMH) has been studied mainly by either concentrating on total PA or focusing on leisure time PA. This study investigated whether total PA and PA domains of leisure time, commuting and occupational PA and screen time sitting at home were associated with PMH. MethodsThe study used a national population study, the FinHealth 2017 Study that included the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) as a measurement for PMH. Of all (n = 10305, of whom 10247 were eligible) invited, 58.1% (5952) participated in health examination and were given a questionnaire including the WEMWBS. A total of 5337 (52.1% of the eligible sample, 89.7% of the health examination participants) returned the questionnaire. The WEMWBS scale was adequately completed by 5090 participants (55.6% women, mean age 55.5 years). Low, moderate and high level of PMH categories were formed. Leisure time, occupational and commuting PA domains were assessed separately and together as a total PA index. Also, screen time sitting at home was measured. Binary logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the odds ratios for having low PMH compared with moderate PMH and separately for having high PMH compared with moderate PMH. The models were estimated both with and without adjustment for potential confounders. ResultsPhysical inactivity (total PA) was associated with lower levels of PMH. Some of the PA domains were strongly associated with low PMH; leisure time physical inactivity and long screen time sitting at home were strongly related to higher odds of low PMH. Commuting PA was associated with high PMH. ConclusionsThe study highlights the importance of PA with relation to PMH among adults. Especially, physical inactivity was strongly associated with low PMH. As low levels of PMH can potentially present a risk for mental ill-health, this study suggests it is important to increase PA among the least active population.

Highlights

The relationship between physical activity (PA) and positive mental health (PMH) has been studied mainly by either concentrating on total PA or focusing on leisure time PA
The aim of the current study was to investigate whether total PA and PA domains such as leisure time PA, commuting PA, occupational PA and screen time sitting at home were associated with PMH using a large national population study, the FinHealth 2017 Study (Borodulin & Sääksjärvi, 2019)
Age and household income per consumption unit were treated as continuous variables and total PA index, leisure time PA, screen time sitting at home, occupational PA, commuting PA, sex, marital status, educational level, employment status and self-rated health as categorical variables in logistic regressions

Summary

Introduction

The relationship between physical activity (PA) and positive mental health (PMH) has been studied mainly by either concentrating on total PA or focusing on leisure time PA. This study investigated whether total PA and PA domains of leisure time, commuting and occupational PA and screen time sitting at home were associated with PMH. Results: Physical inactivity (total PA) was associated with lower levels of PMH. Some of the PA domains were strongly associated with low PMH; leisure time physical inactivity and long screen time sitting at home were strongly related to higher odds of low PMH. As low levels of PMH can potentially present a risk for mental ill-health, this study suggests it is important to increase PA among the least active population. PMH includes aspects such as self-esteem, optimism, a sense of mastery and coherence, satisfying personal relationships and resilience, that is, the ability to cope with

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion