CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG ADULTS.

Introduction. Nowadays young adults have a lot of duties that can contribute to the emergence of depression. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder and is thought to affect 121 million adults worldwide (Moussavi et al. 2007). Many studies show that exercise can improve symptoms of depression. An inverse relationship between high physical activity and lower risk of depression or vice versa has been established (Schuch et al. 2017). The aim of the study Evaluate the level of physical activity in young adults and assess its relation to mental health. Materials and methods. 209 adults in age group 18-30 years completed a questionnaire that included questions about anthropometric data, a short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for assessment of depression severity. Collected data were analyzed with SPSS using descriptive statistical methods with confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Results. 209 adults from which 78 (37.3%) were male, 131 (62.7%) were female. Mean age was 24.61 [95% CI= 24.30-24.93], median age 24. Mean respondents body mass index was 23.3 [22.8-23.8]. 13 (6.2%) participants were underweight, 141 (67.5%) had normal weight, 42 (20.1%) was overweight and 13 (6.2%) were obese. 96 (45.9%) respondents were doing sedentary work, 28 (13.4%)- physical, but 85 (40.7%) respondents were involved in both types of work. According to IPAQ, respondents were graded as having low (39 or 18.7%), moderate (87- 41.6%) or high physical activity (83 or 39.7%). Data from PHQ-9 scale showed that 93 (44.5%) participants don't have depression, 75 (35.9%) have mild depression, 25 (12.0%) have moderate depression, 10 (4.8%) have moderately severe depression, but 6 (2.9%)- severe. No significant correlation (p>0.05) was found between level of physical activity and depression. Conclusion. There was no significant correlation between level of physical activity and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]