The longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescents
Abstract Background Mental health among young people in many countries, including Norway, seems to be deteriorating. Physical activity (PA) has been positively associated with mental health. However, methodological issues related to study design and measurement of PA and mental health outcomes curre...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01211-x |
| _version_ | 1818987146995826688 |
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| author | Ingeborg Barth Vedøy Knut Ragnvald Skulberg Sigmund Alfred Anderssen Morten Wang Fagerland Hege Eikeland Tjomsland Miranda Thurston |
| author_facet | Ingeborg Barth Vedøy Knut Ragnvald Skulberg Sigmund Alfred Anderssen Morten Wang Fagerland Hege Eikeland Tjomsland Miranda Thurston |
| author_sort | Ingeborg Barth Vedøy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Mental health among young people in many countries, including Norway, seems to be deteriorating. Physical activity (PA) has been positively associated with mental health. However, methodological issues related to study design and measurement of PA and mental health outcomes currently limits our understanding of the relationship. The purpose of the present study is to explore the prospective relationship between objectively measured PA and mental health outcomes. More specifically, volume (total PA), intensity (moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) and sedentary behaviour (SED) were explored in relation to mental health problems (MHP) and mental wellbeing (MWB). Methods Data from 599 adolescents (54.4% female, mean age at baseline ±SD 13.3 ± 0.3 years) were collected annually during their 3 years (T1, T2 and T3) at lower secondary school. PA was measured using accelerometry. MWB was measured using the ‘Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale’ and MHP by the ‘Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire’. Multiple linear regression was performed to explore relationships between changes in PA/SED (between T1-T3) and MWB/MHP (at T3). The term ‘movement categories’ was used to refer to components on the movement continuum and includes volume (total PA), intensity (MVPA) and SED. Results Among boys, any increase in SED was positively associated with MWB (β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.10), whereas a small positive association between an increase in total PA (volume) and MWB was found among girls (β = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.05 to 2.21). There were no associations between changes in any movement categories [total PA (volume), MVPA, SED] and score on MHP at T3, neither for girls nor boys. Conclusion This study provided no clear evidence of any association between change in volume or intensity of PA and MHP among an overall healthy adolescent study sample. There was, however, evidence of a relationship between increased SED and MWB among boys and increased volume of PA and MWB among girls. The relationship between movement categories and mental health may depend on the measurement used to assess both PA/SED and variables of mental health. Future research would be strengthened by researchers clarifying what construct of mental health is being used and measured. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:02:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-05f692f26c3240658ad693f2fda5a948 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1479-5868 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:02:03Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| spelling | doaj.art-05f692f26c3240658ad693f2fda5a9482022-12-21T19:29:22ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682021-11-0118111110.1186/s12966-021-01211-xThe longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescentsIngeborg Barth Vedøy0Knut Ragnvald Skulberg1Sigmund Alfred Anderssen2Morten Wang Fagerland3Hege Eikeland Tjomsland4Miranda Thurston5Inland Norway University of Applied SciencesInland Norway University of Applied SciencesThe Norwegian school of Sport SciencesThe Norwegian school of Sport SciencesInland Norway University of Applied SciencesInland Norway University of Applied SciencesAbstract Background Mental health among young people in many countries, including Norway, seems to be deteriorating. Physical activity (PA) has been positively associated with mental health. However, methodological issues related to study design and measurement of PA and mental health outcomes currently limits our understanding of the relationship. The purpose of the present study is to explore the prospective relationship between objectively measured PA and mental health outcomes. More specifically, volume (total PA), intensity (moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) and sedentary behaviour (SED) were explored in relation to mental health problems (MHP) and mental wellbeing (MWB). Methods Data from 599 adolescents (54.4% female, mean age at baseline ±SD 13.3 ± 0.3 years) were collected annually during their 3 years (T1, T2 and T3) at lower secondary school. PA was measured using accelerometry. MWB was measured using the ‘Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale’ and MHP by the ‘Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire’. Multiple linear regression was performed to explore relationships between changes in PA/SED (between T1-T3) and MWB/MHP (at T3). The term ‘movement categories’ was used to refer to components on the movement continuum and includes volume (total PA), intensity (MVPA) and SED. Results Among boys, any increase in SED was positively associated with MWB (β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.10), whereas a small positive association between an increase in total PA (volume) and MWB was found among girls (β = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.05 to 2.21). There were no associations between changes in any movement categories [total PA (volume), MVPA, SED] and score on MHP at T3, neither for girls nor boys. Conclusion This study provided no clear evidence of any association between change in volume or intensity of PA and MHP among an overall healthy adolescent study sample. There was, however, evidence of a relationship between increased SED and MWB among boys and increased volume of PA and MWB among girls. The relationship between movement categories and mental health may depend on the measurement used to assess both PA/SED and variables of mental health. Future research would be strengthened by researchers clarifying what construct of mental health is being used and measured.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01211-xPhysical activityAccelerometryMental wellbeingMental health problemsAdolescenceProspective cohort study |
| spellingShingle | Ingeborg Barth Vedøy Knut Ragnvald Skulberg Sigmund Alfred Anderssen Morten Wang Fagerland Hege Eikeland Tjomsland Miranda Thurston The longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescents International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Physical activity Accelerometry Mental wellbeing Mental health problems Adolescence Prospective cohort study |
| title | The longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescents |
| title_full | The longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescents |
| title_fullStr | The longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescents |
| title_full_unstemmed | The longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescents |
| title_short | The longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among Norwegian adolescents |
| title_sort | longitudinal association between objectively measured physical activity and mental health among norwegian adolescents |
| topic | Physical activity Accelerometry Mental wellbeing Mental health problems Adolescence Prospective cohort study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01211-x |
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