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

•We examine physical activity/screen time associations with teen health perceptions.•Activity and screen time are independently associated with self-rated health.•Activity and screen time are independently associated with self-rated mental health.•Interventions should target health perceptions in addition to biomedical outcomes.•Self-rated mental health is a simple 1-item measure that could gain wider use.

ObjectivePhysical 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.MethodsCross-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.ResultsExcellent/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.ConclusionPA and ST are independently associated with health perceptions among Canadian adolescents. Interventions should consider health perceptions in addition to biomedical outcomes.