Are perceived barriers to physical activity related to depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents? The EHDLA study

• Published in: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine Vol. 10; no. 3; p. e002069
• Main Authors: de Camargo, Edina Maria, Chen, Sitong, López-Bueno, Rubén, Mesas, Arthur Eumann, Bizzozero-Peroni, Bruno, Martín-Calvo, Nerea, Jiménez-López, Estela, López-Gil, José Francisco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 2024; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Anxiety; Child development; Exercise; Lifestyles; Likert scale; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Original Research; Perceptions; Personal appearance; Physical education; Sedentary behavior; Social support; Stress; Teenagers; Japan; Depression; Anxiety; Well-being; Physical activity; Stress
• ISSN: 2055-7647; 2055-7647
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002069

The aim of this study was twofold: first, to examine the association between perceived barriers to physical activity (PA) practice and depression, anxiety and stress in a sample of Spanish adolescents; and second, to determine which barriers are specifically associated with depression, anxiety and stress. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 765 adolescents aged 12-17 (55.6% girls) in the , Murcia, Spain. Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), with validated cut points employed to determine the presence of each of these mental conditions. The perception of barriers to PA was assessed using a validated questionnaire for the Spanish adolescent population. The barrier 'Because I feel that my physical appearance is worse than that of others' was related to a higher likelihood of having depression (OR=2.41; 95% CI 1.35 to 4.28; p=0.003), anxiety (OR=2.65; 95% CI 1.51 to 4.71; p=0.001) and stress (OR=2.82; 95% CI 1.59 to 5.07; p<0.001). Similarly, the barrier 'Because nobody encourages me to engage in physical activity' was related to a higher likelihood of having depression (OR=1.92; 95% CI 1.08 to 3.43; p=0.026), anxiety (OR=1.97; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.50; p=0.021) and stress (OR=1.99; 95% CI 1.12 to 3.59; p=0.021). Perceived barriers to PA related to physical appearance and social support seem to be associated with a greater likelihood of depression, anxiety and stress among Spanish adolescents.