Interaction of substance use with physical activity and its effect on depressive symptoms among adolescents

Objective: The present paper examined the association of physical activity and substance use with depressive symptoms among adolescents in lower socio-economic settings in India. We hypothesized that physical activity would be positively associated with lower depression levels and that the relationship would be inverse in case of substance use. Methods: We utilized data from the Understanding the lives of adolescents and young adults (UDAYA) survey. The depression level was assessed by combining nine questions on symptoms, having a higher internal validity (Cronbach alpha value: 0.86), and adopting a negative binomial regression model. Results: The study demonstrated a higher mean depression score among educated, girls, and adolescents who consumed substance and were not involved in physical activity. Adolescents who are physically inactive (IRR: 1.33; CI: 1.25-1.41) and use substance (IRR- 1.26; CI: 1.11-1.43) were more likely to have depressive symptoms compared to their counterparts. However, after controlling the effect of background variables, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) decreased for physical activities (IRR: 0.88; CI: 0.81-0.94) and increased for substance use (IRR: 1.39; CI: 1.22-1.58). Conclusion: Substance use predisposes adolescents toward depression; therefore, educating teens on the effects of substance use is important as it would control possible substance use among adolescents.