Movement and mental health: Behavioral correlates of anxiety and depression among children of 6--17 years old in the US: Behavioral correlates of anxiety and depression among children of 6–17 years old in the U.S.

Objectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine associations between physical activity, screen-time, sleep duration, and their combinations based on 24-h movement guidelines with anxiety and depression among a nationally representative cohort aged 6–17 years in the US. Methods: The 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)data from a representative sample of children (n = 15,010)aged 6–11 years and adolescents (n = 20,708)aged 12–17 years were analyzed using logistic regression. This analysis examined parent-reported demographics, lifestyle-related behavioral variables, adverse childhood experiences, and history of anxiety and depression. Results: Physical activity participation was associated with anxiety and depression. Children with 0 days/week of physical activity were about twice more likely to have anxiety (Odds ratio (OR)= 2.19), and adolescents were over twice as likely to have anxiety (OR = 2.25)and depression (OR = 2.18), than peers with daily physical activity ≥ 60 min. There was no significant difference in the ORs of anxiety or depression between the children with daily physical activity and those with physical activity ≥60 min on 1–3 days/week or 4–6 days/week. Extracurricular activity participation and sleep duration were also significantly associated with anxiety and depression along with demographic variables such as race and weight status. Conclusion: Some physical activity or organized extracurricular activity participation are associated with decreased odds of experiencing anxiety among children and adolescents, and depression among adolescents. Meeting all three 24-h movement guidelines was associated with lower ORs for anxiety for children and adolescents and depression among adolescents.