The Association of Levels of Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Health Behaviors and Obesity in Korean Adolescents : Results from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2024

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of levels of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), measured using the GAD 7-item scale (GAD-7), with aerobic physical activity (APA), resistance exercise (RE), leisure-time sedentary behavior (LTSB), and obesity among Korean adolescents. A total of 51,921 adolescents aged 12-18 years from the 2024 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analyzed. Participants were categorized into the high risk group (HRG, GAD-7 score ≥ 10) and the low risk group (LRG, GAD-7 score < 10). Logistic regression analysis with complex survey design was conducted to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the association of levels of GAD with APA, RE, LTSB, and obesity after adjusting for covariates (sex, grade, academic performance, economic status, living type, alcohol drinking, smoking). Compared to the HRG, the LRG had a significantly higher likelihood of meeting the recommended levels of moderate/vigorous APA, RE, and a significantly lower likelihood of having obesity (moderate APA: OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.16; vigorous APA: OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05-1.16; RE: OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.20; obesity: OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.76-0.87). However, no significant differences were observed in LTSB. These findings suggest that lower levels of GAD are associated with a higher likelihood of participating in APA and RE, as well as a lower likelihood of obesity.