Public health mandates requiring people to stay at home during the pandemic led to decreases in physical activity and less time spent outdoors, and these changes may be associated with more depression and anxiety, a new research study shows. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventive Medicine, was co-authored by Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, KPSOM Professor of Health Systems Science and Director of the Division of Behavioral Research for the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation. It included more than 20,000 participants, none of whom reported COVID-19 symptoms, and the data indicated that persons who reported the lowest levels of physical activity had the highest reported levels of depression and anxiety.
From Preventive Medicine:
COVID Stay-at-Home Orders Linked to Higher Depression, Anxiety
Study co-authored by KPSOM researcher shows link between lower physical activity and higher stress levels during pandemic
