To analyze the correlation of physical activity and screen time with anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students, so as to provide a reference for formulating intervention measures for anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students.

In May 2024, the method of combining convenient sampling with stratified sampling was adopted to select 3 076 college students from 5 colleges in Shaoxing of Zhejiang Province. Self-compiled general situation questionnaires, Screen Time Questionnaire, Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale were used to investigate the current status of college students' physical activities, screen time, anxiety and depressive symptoms, etc. Inter-group comparisons were conducted by using the χ² test, Fisher's exact probability test, t-test or analysis of variance. A multivariate Logistic regression model was established to explore the correlations between physical activity, screen time with anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students.

The constituent ratios of mild, moderate and severe anxiety symptoms were 59.97%, 28.99% and 11.04%, respectively. The constituent ratios of mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms were 64.96%, 29.92% and 5.12%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of anxiety symptom (χ²=15.99) and depressive symptom (χ²=16.54) among college students of different grades and screen time daily (both P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in physical activity among college students of different genders and subject types (t/F=11.67, 11.90, both P < 0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that when physical activity was at least 1 hour per week < 3 d, a screen time < 2 h/d could reduce the risk of anxiety symptoms among college students (OR=0.57), and screen time < 2, 2- < 3, 3- < 4 h/d could reduce the risk of depressive symptoms among college students (OR=0.65, 0.56, 0.64); when the number of days of physical activity exercise was at least 1 h per week ≥3 d, the occurrence risks of anxiety symptom(OR=0.49, 0.58) and depressive symptom (OR=0.36, 0.43) were reduced for students with screen time < 2 and 2- < 3 h/d (all P < 0.05).

There are correlations of physical activity and screen time with anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students. Low physical activity and longer screen time are more likely to increase the risk of anxiety and depressive symptom among college students.