Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Health in College Freshmen

Objective: To explore the relationship between physical activity levels and mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and depression, among medical college freshmen.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 first-year MBBS students aged 18–22 years at Government Medical College, Gondia, Maharashtra. Physical activity was categorized as low, moderate, or high based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Anxiety and depression were assessed using Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the associations while adjusting for confounders like age, gender, and BMI.Results: Of the participants, 35% reported low physical activity, 45% moderate, and 20% high levels. Depression and anxiety were significantly higher in students with low physical activity (p< 0.05).Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of promoting regular physical activity to enhance mental well-being among medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 first-year MBBS students aged 18–22 years at Government Medical College, Gondia, Maharashtra. Physical activity was categorized as low, moderate, or high based on the IPAQ scoring protocol. Anxiety and depression were assessed using Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). Multivariate logistic regression was applied to determine the associations, adjusting for confounders such as age, gender, and BMI. The results revealed that 35% of students reported low physical activity, while 45% had moderate and 20% had high activity levels. Depression and anxiety were significantly higher in students with low physical activity (p< 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of promoting regular physical activity to support mental well-being among medical students.