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Physical activity and emotional problems amongst adolescents : a longitudinal study
Nicola J Wiles1, Gareth T Jones, Anne M Haase
1Academic Unit of Psychiatry, Dept. of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. nicola.wiles@bristol.ac.uk
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|April 29, 2008
Summary
Children meeting physical activity guidelines showed fewer emotional problems a year later. This association was reduced after accounting for factors like gender and baseline emotional health.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Research
- Public Health Promotion
Background:
- Physical activity promotion is a key public health objective.
- Longitudinal data on physical activity and children's mental health are limited.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal association between self-reported physical activity and emotional problems in schoolchildren.
- To examine how physical activity levels at baseline predict emotional health outcomes one year later.
- To identify potential confounding factors influencing the physical activity-mental health relationship.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1,446 schoolchildren aged 11-14 years in England participated.
- Physical activity was measured by self-reported weekly sports sessions, aiming for 1 hour daily.
- Emotional problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at baseline and 1-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- Children meeting recommended physical activity levels reported fewer emotional problems at follow-up.
- The association attenuated after adjusting for gender and baseline emotional problems.
- A statistically significant reduction of 0.29 units in emotional problems score was observed for active children.
Conclusions:
- Meeting physical activity recommendations is linked to better emotional health outcomes in children over one year.
- Gender and baseline mental health status are significant confounders in this relationship.
- Further longitudinal research with more frequent assessments is needed to clarify the impact of sustained physical activity on adolescent mental health.
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