@article{ref1,
title="Differential associations of sports participation with self-rated health and depressive symptoms among Japanese adolescents",
journal="Curēus",
year="2023",
author="Yamaguchi, Satoshi and Kawasaki, Yohei and Oura, Ayako and Kimura, Seiji and Horii, Manato and Watanabe, Shotaro and Sasho, Takahisa and Ohtori, Seiji",
volume="15",
number="8",
pages="e43776-e43776",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the associations of sports participation with self-rated health and depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample of Japanese adolescents. <br><br>METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 1,658 adolescents aged between 12 and 21 years. Sports participation levels were divided into high-frequency, moderate-frequency, low-frequency, and no-participation groups. Self-rated health was evaluated using a four-grade scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-8. Other lifestyle behaviors were also surveyed. The associations of sports participation with self-rated health and depressive symptoms were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. <br><br>RESULTS: The participants in the high- (odds ratio (OR), 0.45) and moderate-frequency (OR, 0.46) groups were less likely to self-report poor health than those in the non-participation group. By contrast, a U-shaped association was found between sports participation and depression, in which the participants in the moderate-frequency group (OR, 0.52) were less likely to have depressive symptoms. The OR for the high- (0.89) and low-frequency (0.91) groups were not significant. Furthermore, eating regular breakfasts, six or more days/week, and having shorter screen times of less than two hours/day were negatively associated with poor self-reported health and depressive symptoms. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Moderate- to high-frequency sports activities are associated with a reduced risk of poor self-rated health among Japanese adolescents. However, only moderate-frequency activities were associated with a reduced risk of depression. Participation in optimal sports activities may effectively lower the risk of poor health in adolescents.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2168-8184",
doi="10.7759/cureus.43776",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.43776"
}