Physical activity, screen time and self-rated health and mental health in Canadian adolescents

Objective. Physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) are associated with self-rated health (SRH) in adults; however, SRH has been less studied among youth, and information about self-rated mental health (SRMH) is lacking. This study examined the associations of PA and ST with SRH and SRMH among adolescents. Methods. Cross-sectional data from the 2011-2012 Canadian Community Health Survey included 7725 participants aged 12-17 years, representing 1,820,560 Canadian adolescents. Associations of self-reported PA and ST to SRH and SRMH were assessed, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, smoking, highest household education and weight status. Results. Excellent/very good SRH was reported by 78% of active vs. 62% of inactive adolescents, and 77% of those meeting vs. 70% of those exceeding ST guidelines (both p < 0.001). Excellent/very good SRMH was reported by 81% of active vs. 76% of inactive adolescents, and 84% of those meeting vs. 78% of those exceeding ST guidelines (both p < 0.001). Inactive adolescents had twice higher odds of sub-optimal SRH, and inactive girls had 30% greater odds of sub-optimal SRMH. Adolescents exceeding 2 h/day ST had 30% greater odds of sub-optimal SRH, and 30-50% greater odds of sub-optimal SRMH. Conclusion. PA and ST are independently associated with health perceptions among Canadian adolescents. Interventions should consider health perceptions in addition to biomedical outcomes. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.