Decline in physical activity during adolescence is not associated with changes in mental health

Abstract

BackgroundThe majority of studies investigating associations between physical activity and mental health in adolescents have been cross-sectional in design. Potential associations between physical activity and mental health may be better examined longitudinally as physical activity levels tend to decrease in adolescence. Few studies have investigated these associations longitudinally in adolescents and none by measuring physical activity objectively.MethodsA total of 158 Dutch adolescents (mean age 13.6 years, 38.6 % boys, grades 7 and 9 at baseline) participated in this longitudinal study. Physical activity, depressive symptoms and self-esteem were measured at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. Physical activity was objectively measured with an ActivPAL3™ accelerometer during one full week. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). Results were analysed using structural equation modelling.ResultsPhysical activity levels decreased 15.3 % over a 1-year period (p < .001), with significantly (p = .001) greater decreases during grade 7 (-20.7 %) than during grade 9 (-5.0 %). Overall, depressive symptoms decreased (-12.1 %, p < .001) over a 1-year period, while self-esteem did not change significantly (+2.9 %, p = .066). Higher levels of depressive symptoms at baseline predicted a greater decline in depressive symptoms (β = -.51, p < .001) and higher levels of self-esteem at baseline predicted a smaller increase in self-esteem (β = -.48, p < .001). The decline in physical activity did not appear to predict any change in depressive symptoms and self-esteem.ConclusionThe decline in physical activity over a 1-year period during adolescence is not associated with a change in mental health. Further studies in adolescents aiming to investigate whether a change in physical activity is associated with a change in mental health should control for baseline levels of mental health and academic year differences.

The importance of health behaviours in childhood for the development of internalizing disorders during adolescence

“…We also observed that lower rates of physical activity with a coach was associated with internalizing disorders but this association appeared not to be statistically significant when confounders were considered (Table 3 ). In contrast, several other prospective studies observed no association between physical activity and later depressive symptoms [ 24 – 26 , 44 ].…”

Dose–Response Relationships between Second-Hand Smoke Exposure and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents in Guangzhou, China

“…Depressive symptoms —The outcome variable was self-reported depressive symptoms measured by the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale [ 22 ], which is widely used in healthy adults and adolescents [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. The 20-item CES-D Scale measures the levels of depressive symptoms experienced in the past week.…”

Academic Stress and Physical Activity in Adolescents

“…In the context of insufficient and declining levels of physical activity among adolescents [1,2] and inadequate physical fitness [3,4], the high cognitive and emotional load of adolescents in schools is negatively associated with their mental health (MH) [5]. Although some studies have not confirmed the association between physical activity (PA) decline and changes in MH in adolescents, this does not undermine the importance of studying these associations [6]. e prevalence of mental disorders in 12-to 17-year-olds in the USA has been increasing [7,8], as is the case in Europe [9] and other countries [10].…”