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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 7/2012

Open Access 01-07-2012 | Original Paper

Physical activity and depression in adolescents: cross-sectional findings from the ALSPAC cohort

Authors: Nicola J. Wiles, Anne M. Haase, Debbie A. Lawlor, Andy Ness, Glyn Lewis

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 7/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Few studies have examined the association between physical activity (PA), measured objectively, and adolescent depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between objective measures of PA (total PA and time spent in moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA)) and adolescent depressive symptoms.

Methods

Data on 2,951 adolescents participating in ALSPAC were used. Depressive symptoms were measured using the self-report Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) (short version). Measures of PA were based on accelerometry. The association between PA and MFQ scores was modelled using ordinal regression.

Results

Adolescents who were more physically active (total PA or minutes of MVPA) had a reduced odds of depressive symptoms [ORadj total PA (tertiles): medium 0.82 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.97); high 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.83)]; ORadj per 15 min MVPA: 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.98). In a multivariable model including both total PA and the percentage of time spent in MVPA, total PA was associated with depressive symptoms (ORadj total PA (tertiles): medium 0.82 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.98); high 0.70 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.85) but the percentage of time spent in MVPA was not independently associated with depressive symptoms [ORadj MVPA (tertiles) medium 1.05 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.24), high 0.91 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.09)].

Conclusions

The total amount of PA undertaken was associated with adolescent depressive symptoms, but the amount of time spent in MVPA, once total PA was accounted for, was not. If confirmed in longitudinal studies and randomised controlled trials, this would have important implications for public health messages.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Physical activity and depression in adolescents: cross-sectional findings from the ALSPAC cohort
Authors
Nicola J. Wiles
Anne M. Haase
Debbie A. Lawlor
Andy Ness
Glyn Lewis
Publication date
01-07-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 7/2012
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0422-4

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