Association between Active Commuting and Lifestyle Parameters with Mental Health Problems in Chilean Children and Adolescent

Background: Little is known about the association between active commuting (i.e., walking or cycling to school) with lifestyle parameters and mental health in youths. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between mental health problems and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with lifestyle (i.e., food habits, screen time, physical activity, and sleep quality), active commuting, and gender. Methods: A total of 511 children and adolescents (boys, n = 249; girls, n = 262) aged 10 to 17 years participated in the study. Lifestyle parameters and mental health were evaluated using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: Girls reported higher levels of anxiety (p = 0.001), depression (p = 0.001), and stress (p = 0.001). Mental health problems showed a positive association with gender (girls, beta = 3.06, p < 0.001) and a negative association with food habits (beta = -0.65, p = 0.019). Anxiety was positively associated with gender (beta = 7.88, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with food habits (beta = -0.23, p = 0.019). Gender (girls) and food habits were also associated with symptoms of depression (beta = 2.29, p < 0.001 and beta = -0.27, p = 0.005, respectively). Finally, active commuting was inversely associated with stress (beta = -1.24, p = 0.008), and stress was positively linked to gender (beta = 2.53, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Active commuting, lifestyle parameters, and gender were associated with mental health in children and adolescents. Moreover, girls reported higher levels of anxiety, symptoms of depression, and stress.