Association between Physical Activity, Food Consumption and Depressive Symptoms Among Young Adults in Spain: Findings of a National Survey

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2020 Jan;41(1):59-65. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2019.1672223. Epub 2019 Dec 23.

Abstract

Young adults have a significant prevalence of mental disorders, which could lead to dysfunctional quality of life. Records of 1,645 Spanish adolescents were examined and multiple logistic regressions were performed. Being a woman, being older and having a sedentary life were all associated with a higher psychological vulnerability, whereas a low frequency of fresh fruit and bread/cereals consumption, as well as regular intense physical activity, were considered protective against such susceptibility. Regular physical activity and a diet with a high consumption of fruit and cereals may help reduce depressive symptoms, but sociodemographic features are as much as important as lifestyle habits.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Depression
  • Diet / psychology*
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Quality of Life
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spain
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult