Moving Through Time: Stability and Change in Adolescent Movement Behaviour and links with Future Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Background Movement behaviours are consistently recognised as having long-term implications for health and wellbeing. Adolescence is often accompanied by diminishing bodily movement and an increased onset of depressive symptoms. Time Displacement dictates that when awake, altering time spent in one movement state (i.e., Sedentary, Light- Moderate-, or Vigorous-Physical Activity) must alter time spent in others. However, few studies evaluate these interdependent movement behaviours as indicators within a composite profile of overall daily movement. The current study included a Random Intercepts Latent Transition Analysis (RI-LTA) to establish latent profiles of movement behaviour across three timepoints in adolescence; the likelihood and predictors of profile transitions over time; and whether differences in transition patterns contributed to variance in future depressive symptoms. Methods Data were represented from 4,964 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and their Children. Movement behaviours were measured using Actigraph AM7164 2.2 accelerometers age 12, 14, and 16. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire at ages 18 and 22. Results A 3x3 non-invariant RI-LTA was an excellent fit to the data (BIC = 410417; Entropy = .902) distinguishing between Maximal-, Moderate-, and Minimal-Movers. Once accounting for non-invariance (i.e., that all profiles moved less over time), transition probabilities presented the Moderate-Mover profile as extremely stable across adolescence. Females, and those with higher BMI and more educated parents were more likely to transition to profiles characterised by lesser movement. Transition patterns containing a period of minimal movement were associated with worse depressive symptoms at ages 18 and 22. Similarly, maximal movement age 12 conferred protection against depressive symptoms age 22 even after shifting to an enduring period of moderate movement thereafter. Conclusions Maximising PA and minimising time spent sedentary when age 12 can protect against depressive symptoms in early adulthood, even if daily movement later decreases. Early intervention has potential to promote health-supportive behaviour and mitigate depressive symptoms across the lifespan. Implications extend to the promotion of PA, and public-health strategies centred on young peoples’ movement behaviour and the reduction of depressive symptoms.