Relationship of different domains and intensities of physical activity with symptoms of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents

• Grant number: 25/03298-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro
• Grantee: Luana Cuerba Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The risk of developing mental disorders such as anxiety and depression has been increasing in the pediatric population, which has brought even greater attention after studies showed that children and adolescents with these symptoms are related to cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood. In this sense, physical activity has been recommended as a non-pharmacological treatment for symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially aerobic exercise. However, there is still a gap in the literature, and it is possible to notice a lack of clarity regarding which of the domains (practiced during leisure time, school or commuting) and intensity (light, moderate or vigorous) of exercise may be related to lower anxiety and depression.Objective: Given this scenario, this present study aims to investigate which of the domains of physical activity and their intensity are related to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methods: 115 children and/or adolescents will be evaluated. Symptoms of anxiety and depression will be assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Physical activity intensities will be assessed using an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer (ActiGraph, LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA), while physical activity domains will be assessed using the Baecke et al. questionnaire. The mean, standard deviation or median and interquartile range (according to the sample distribution) will be used for statistical analysis, along with linear regression or quantile regression, with a statistical significance of 5% and a confidence interval of 95%. The statistical package used will be SPSS version 29.0.