Depresión, Ansiedad y Actividad Física en Escolares: Estudio Comparado

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety states by sex and level of educational attainment; and analyse the relationship between physical activity and depression and anxiety by sex and level of educational attainment. We used a sample of 998 students from the city of Jaen, belonging to the sixth grade of Primary Education and the second grade of Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO - acronyms in Spanish), who completed questionnaires about depression, anxiety and physical activity. The results showed that the students of 2nd ESO had more depressive symptoms and trait-anxiety than those of the 6th of primary with a higher prevalence among girls, depression and trait anxiety showed statistically significant correlations with respect to the physical activity. These results may have important implications in helping to generate new strategies for early detection of these mental disorders, emphasizing the promotion of physical activity during leisure time.