Relationship between physical activity and mental health among Texas adolescents – the role of physical education (PE) class attendance

Objective: To assess association of physical activity (PA), particularly attending physical education (PE) classes, with feelings of sadness and suicide ideation and behaviors among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white Texas adolescents.

Methods: A sample of 2,741 adolescents (grades 9 through 12) from the 2009 Texas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was examined. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relation between physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day on five or more of the past seven days, attending PE, and participating in team sports, and the dependent variables, feelings of sadness and considering, planning, and attempting suicide. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.2 (Cary, NC), which accounts for multistage sampling.

Results: More boys than girls reported being physically active (P<.001), and more girls than boys reported feelings of sadness and considering or planning suicide (P<.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that self-reported physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day on five or more days of the past week was inversely related to feelings of sadness or hopelessness (odds ratio (OR) = 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.35 – 0.89). Non-Hispanic Whites were more likely to report planning suicide than their Hispanic counterparts. Greater attendance in PE was inversely associated with considering (P = 0.0187) and planning suicide (P = 0.0057).

Conclusions: Findings are consistent with beneficial effects of attending PE on suicidal behaviors in adolescents. Engaging adolescents in more physical activity may be considered as part of an intervention strategy to improve their physical and mental well-being.