title: Undergraduate physical activity and depressive symptoms: a national study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of college students' physical activity and gender on depressive and suicidal symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National College Health Assessment survey was administered to college students nationwide. Data were analyzed with 4x2 ANOVAs and Games-Howell  post hoc tests when appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More frequent physical activity related to less frequent depressive symptoms and consideration of suicide, but not with attempted suicide. Males reported depressive symptoms less frequently than did females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression research  has implications for an increasingly sedentary college population. Institutions should provide increased access and knowledge pertaining to emotional health and psychological benefits through physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. elliotcatherine@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Sharon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D013405:Suicide / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention