The association between physical activity, fitness and body mass index on mental well-being and quality of life in adolescents

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the current study was to investigate the mediatory role between vigorous physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and cardiorespiratory fitness on symptoms of depression and their subsequent direct and indirect effects on quality of life (QoL).MethodsFive hundred and seventy-six adolescents’ (314 boys, 12.5 ± 1.1 years) physical activity levels, cardiorespiratory fitness, BMI, levels of depressive symptoms, and QoL were measured. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate the difference in linear structural associations between variables.ResultsThe model suggested that cardiorespiratory fitness (β = 0.16, p < 0.001) and symptoms of depression (β = − 0.52, p < 0.001) were both directly associated with physical QoL, with depressive symptoms also directly influencing psychological QoL (β = − 0.79, p < 0.01). Body mass index was indirectly associated with physical QoL, mediated by both symptoms of depression (β = − 0.06, p < 0.001) and cardiorespiratory fitness (β = 0.05, p < 0.001) and psychological QoL mediated by symptoms of depression (β = − 0.09, p < 0.001). Vigorous physical activity was indirectly associated with QoL, mediated by cardiorespiratory fitness (β = − 0.04, p < 0.001).ConclusionsModels suggested that vigorous physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI were associated, both directly and indirectly, with mental well-being and QoL. It could, therefore, be postulated that enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI through increasing vigorous physical activity may be beneficial to both mental well-being and QoL in adolescents.

The evaluation of a school-based military style high-intensity interval training intervention on adolescent’s physical health, mental well-being and quality of life

“…Associated to HIIT (Costigan et al, 2017), VPA has previously been shown to improve mental health and QoL (Eddolls et al, 2018), however, contrary to this, the present study indicated that HIIT did not improve anxiety, depression or QoL in adolescents.…”

“…Specifically, whilst this study followed the protocol guidelines developed in a recent systematic review , these guidelines were based on the intervention design associated with the greatest physiological benefit; exercise protocols for psychosocial variables may therefore differ. Given that previous research has demonstrated vigorous physical activity (VPA) and HIIT can significantly improve mental health (Eddolls et al, 2018;Gerber et al, 2014;Shepherd et al, 2015), in line with past recommendations (Costigan et al, 2016), future research should establish a HIIT intervention protocol based on psychological outcomes. Indeed, it has been suggested that social interactions inherent to exercise may induce psychological improvements (Biddle & Asare, 2011;Helseth & Misvaer, 2010).…”

“…The following chapter has been published as an original article in a peer-reviewed journal(Eddolls, W. T. B., McNarry, M. A., Lester, L., Winn, C. O. N., Stratton, G., & Mackintosh, K. A. (2018).…”

Active Travel of Czech and Polish Adolescents in Relation to Their Well-Being: Support for Physical Activity and Health

“…It was further confirmed that meeting the ATR in combination with having a higher WB does not have to occur at the expense of meeting the VPA recommendations. This is also essential, because significant associations were observed between VPA, mental well-being and overall quality of life in adolescents [49].…”

Academic Stress and Physical Activity in Adolescents

“…PA is also effective in improving self-esteem and reducing depression, but it does not affect anxiety scores [31]. It has also been shown that vigorous PA, cardiorespiratory fitness, and BMI are associated with adolescents' mental well-being and quality of life [32]. Improved physical fitness in adolescence may be associated with fewer symptoms of depression [33] or may reduce their social physique anxiety [34].…”