A Study on the Physical Activity and Mental Health Status among Filipino Young Adult in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

This research examined the levels of physical activity and mental health of young adults residing in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. It established the relationship between physical activity and outcomes of mental health, which included depression and anxiety. The primary aim was to acquire data to guide future wellness and mental health interventions specifically targeting the younger generation of this region. The researcher utilized a descriptive-correlational research design. The participants were determined through a method known as snowball sampling. The participants were assessed using a standardized instrument to measure their physical activity and mental health. The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires for depression and anxiety, respectively, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Using Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients, data analysis yielded a surprising result that, despite the high physical activity levels of the respondents, no correlation between physical activity and mental health outcomes could be determined. Nevertheless, the analysis yielded strong positive relationships between depression and anxiety. This study highlighted the imperative need to address mental health problems with interventions focused on increasing physical activity, especially in the socio-cultural context of Filipino young adults.