Associations of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior with depressive and anxiety symptoms in self-isolating people during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey in Brazil

HIGHLIGHTS

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  Nearly half of the participants spent more than 30 minutes per day in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

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  One-third of the participants spent more than 10 hours per day sitting.

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  Those reporting over 30 minutes of MVPA/day were less likely to present depressive, anxiety, or co-occurring depressive and anxiety symptoms.

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  Those reporting over 10 hours sitting/day were more likely to present depressive symptoms.

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the associations of self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity, and sedentary behavior with depressive, anxiety, and co-occurring depressive and anxiety symptoms (D&A) in self-isolating Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were collected using the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI). Among the 937 participants (females=72.3%), those performing ≥30 min/day of moderate to vigorous or ≥15 min/day of vigorous physical activity had lower odds of prevalent depressive, anxiety, and co-occurring D&A symptoms. Those spending ≥10 h/day sedentary were more likely to have depressive symptoms.