Dose Mental Health Have an Impact on The Number of minutes Exercising?

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the influence of physical activity on mental health, utilizing the Scottish Health Survey 2021 data to investigate the association between exercise duration and mental well-being, alongside various confounding factors. Employing Poisson regression initially, the research encountered analytical challenges due to violation of model assumptions, prompting the use of Negative Binomial Regression and Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression models for a more accurate assessment. The findings illustrate a significant positive relationship between Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) and mental health, as measured by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), highlighting the benefits of increased physical activity. The study further identifies age, gender, alcohol consumption, and education level as important determinants of physical activity frequency, each contributing uniquely to the complex dynamics between physical exercise and mental health. Notably, the analysis reveals age-related declines in exercise, gender disparities favoring males in physical activity levels, intricate interactions between alcohol use and exercise, and an unexpected pattern of higher MVPA among those with lower educational attainment. These insights emphasize the need for targeted, age-appropriate exercise programs and challenge prevailing assumptions about the socio-demographic drivers of physical activity. The paper also suggests avenues for future research, including the exploration of interdependencies among the identified variables, to deepen understanding of the multifaceted relationship between physical activity and mental health.