Higher physical activity is associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms among university students: A meta-analysis of over 66,000 participants

Key Points

• Higher physical activity is significantly associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms among university students.
• The analysis included over 66,000 participants, showing that increased physical activity lowers depressive symptom odds by a notable margin.
• Meta-analysis of observational studies indicates strong evidence connecting physical activity frequency to mental health benefits.
• This finding supports the idea that promoting physical activity could be essential for improving student mental health outcomes.