• Katya M Herman, Wilma M Hopman, and Catherine M Sabiston.
• Faculty of Kinesiology & Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada. Electronic address: katya.herman@uregina.ca.
• Prev Med. 2015 Apr 1; 73: 112-6.

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 12-17years, 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 2h/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.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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