The association between the longitudinal course of common mental disorders and subsequent physical activity status in young adults: A 30-year birth cohort study

Low physical activity is a major public health concern. There has been extensive research examining the role of physical activity as a potentially modifiable risk factor for the onset of mental illness. However, fewer studies have reported how mental disorders affect future physical activity. Using data from a large birth cohort, the current study explored the association between the longitudinal course of common mental disorders (affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, as well as any common mental disorder) and subsequent physical activity status among young adults living in Australia. Prospective data from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy, consisting of 1611 young adults, were analyzed. The longitudinal course of mental disorder diagnoses between ages 21 and 30 was derived from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Physical activity status at age 30 was estimated using International Physical Activity Questionnaire long form. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the longitudinal course of common mental disorders between 21 and 30 years and subsequent physical activity status at age 30. After adjusting for confounding factors, there was no association between the longitudinal course of affective disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, or any common mental disorder at ages 21 and 30 and physical activity status at age 30. Our findings suggest that there is no longitudinal association between the common mental disorder diagnoses and physical activity status among young adults living in Australia.