Physical activity and analogue anxiety disorder symptoms and status: Mediating influence of social physique anxiety

Background: Associations between physical activity (PA) and subclinical anxiety disorder symptoms and status, and potential mediating effect of social physique anxiety (SPA), remain understudied. We examined associations between PA and analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD), analogue Social Anxiety Disorder (ASAD), and analogue Panic Disorder (APD) symptoms and status, the mediating effect of SPA, and sex-related differences. Methods: Participants (n = 470, 23.2 +/- 4.8 years, 298 female) completed the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire, seven-day PA recall, and Social Physique Anxiety Scale. ANCOVA examined differences in SPA and anxiety disorder symptoms between PA levels. Logistic regression examined associations between PA and analogue anxiety disorder status. Mediation analyses estimated the effect of change in PA on analogue anxiety disorder odds when SPA was at its mean. Results: AGAD, ASAD, and APD prevalence was 38.1%, 60.0%, and 15.1%, respectively. AGAD and ASAD symptoms, but not APD symptoms, were significantly lower among higher PA levels. PA was associated with lower odds of AGAD, ASAD, and APD; findings were not significant after adjustment. The pure indirect effect of SPA significantly accounted for 58.2% and 47.9% of the total effect of PA on AGAD and ASAD, respectively; findings were not significant after adjusting for depression. Females showed greater odds of AGAD, ASAD, and APD; mediation findings did not differ based on gender. Limitations: Cross-sectional design, self-reported exposure and outcomes, and sample size are potential limitations. Conclusion: Symptoms and odds of AGAD and ASAD status were lower among young adults with greater PA; SPA partially mediated associations and warrants experimental investigation.

Automated summary

The study revealed that higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower symptoms and odds of generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder among young adults. Social physique anxiety partially mediated these associations. Females had higher odds of subclinical anxiety disorders, but the mediation effects were consistent across genders.