Relationship between physical activity and mental health in a nationwide sample of Korean adults

There is widespread recognition of the effect of physical activity on mental health. The authors examined the relationships between physical activity and mental health in a nationwide sample of Korean adults.

A total of 6,510 subjects aged 18 to 64 years participated in the study. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to estimate the level of physical activity. Mental health was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, the Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the prevalence of CES-D and GHQ cases and psychiatric disorders among the following physical activity categories: inactive, minimally active, and health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) active.

HEPA-active or minimally active subjects were less likely to be classified as "depressed" on the CES-D (≥21) and "psychologically distressed" on the GHQ (≥3) than were physically inactive subjects. HEPA was associated with a significantly decreased 1-year prevalence of major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and with a significantly increased 1-year prevalence of alcohol abuse, relative to physical inactivity. In addition, HEPA was associated with a significantly increased 1 year prevalence of alcohol abuse, relative to minimal physical activity. Physical inactivity was associated with a significantly increased 1-year prevalence of alcohol dependence, relative to physical inactivity.

The results indicate a negative association between physical activity and depressive and anxiety disorders. A high level of physical activity seems to be associated with alcohol abuse, but a moderate level of physical activity may play a role in preventing alcohol dependence.