Lifestyle habits and depressive symptoms in Norwegian adolescents: a national cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background This study’s purpose was to examine the association between a broad range of lifestyle habits and depressive symptoms in Norwegian adolescents. Methods This study was based on national, self-reported, cross-sectional data from the Ungdata Surveys, conducted in 2017–2019. The target group comprised 244,250 adolescents (ages 13–19). Binominal logistic regression was used to analyse the association between lifestyle habits (physical activity, social media use, gaming, dietary habits, smoking, smokeless tobacco, alcohol intoxication) and depressive symptoms. The outcome measure was defined as a high level of depressive symptoms (≥80th percentile). Separate analyses were performed for boys and girls, and all models were adjusted for perceived family economy, parental higher education and age. Results The odds of having depressive symptoms were significantly lower among those who reported being physically active at least 3 times per week (OR; boys: 0.81, girls: 0.83), used social media ≤3 h per day (OR; boys: 0.65, girls: 0.70), engaged in gaming ≤3 h per day (OR; boys: 0.72, girls: 0.77), were non-smokers (OR; boys: 0.74, girls: 0.72) and had not experienced alcohol intoxication during the previous 12 months (OR; boys: 0.66, girls: 0.67). Furthermore, the results indicated a significant inverse association between depressive symptoms and high consumption of a range of healthy food items and low consumption of unhealthy food and beverages among girls. Similar tendencies were found among boys (OR; 0.77–0.91). Finally, higher adherence to healthy lifestyle habits was associated significantly with lower odds of having depressive symptoms among both genders (OR; boys: 0.40, girls: 0.52). Conclusions A healthier lifestyle was associated with lower odds of having depressive symptoms. Additional research is needed to confirm a possible causal relationship.

Depression and Its Association With Self-Esteem and Lifestyle Factors Among School-Going Adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

“…In keeping with previous findings ( 64 ), this current study found a significant association between physical activity and depression ( Table 3 ). Respondents with low physical activity reported more depressive symptoms.…”

The impact of 12 modifiable lifestyle behaviours on depressive and anxiety symptoms in middle adolescence: prospective analyses of the Canadian longitudinal COMPASS study

“…[ 46 ] Another cross-sectional study of 244,250 Norwegian adolescents aged 13–19 showed that those with higher overall adherence to recommendations for physical activity, screen time, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption had up to 60% lower odds of depressive symptoms. [ 47 ] Although results reported in these studies are encouraging, prospective effect estimates are more reliable since they consider baseline levels of mental health.…”

Patterns of unhealthy behaviours during adolescence and subsequent anxiety and depression in adulthood: a prospective register linkage study of the HUNT survey and health registries

“…Further evidence suggests that poor diet is a relevant predictor in the onset of depressive illness [ 22 ], whereas healthy eating patterns may reduce anxiety symptoms [ 23 ]. The consumption of specific food items and beverages, such as high consumption of fruit, whole grain bread and fish and low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, was also associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms in adolescents [ 24 ] and lower risk of mental distress among adults [ 25 ]. Some studies suggest an association of higher consumption levels of proinflammatory diets and Western diets with the increased incidence of depression, while higher intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with lower incidence of depression [ 26 ].…”