Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

LIVE: Thursday 2nd May 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

Quality sleep is essential for health. But what happens to our brains when sleep patterns are disturbed? Join our experts to explore the interplay between sleep disruption and neurological diseases, and the questions that you need to be asking your patients to help you prevent the harmful effects of sleep deprivation.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

The association between leisure time physical activity in adolescence and poor mental health in early adulthood: a prospective cohort study

Authors: Per Hoegh Poulsen, Karin Biering, Johan Hviid Andersen

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The incidence of poor mental health (MH) is increasing in Denmark and worldwide, especially among 16–24 year olds. Low physical activity (PA) during adolescence seems to be a risk factor for poor MH in early adulthood. Among adults, it appears that a high level of PA may be protective against poor MH.
We aimed to examine whether high levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during adolescence reduced the risk of poor MH at age 20/21.

Methods

Prospective cohort study with data collected during 2004–2010 in the western part of Denmark. The study population was 3031 young people (age 14/15 in 2004). LTPA was the exposure variable and originates from questionnaires in 2004/2007. MH was the outcome variable and was measured at age 20/21 in 2010. MH was evaluated using a short version of the CES-DC. Logistic regression was used to analyse the associations between levels of LTPA and MH. All analyses were stratified by gender.

Results

1,589 adolescents were included in the final analyses. Girls at 14/15 years of age with a low level of LTPA had an Adjusted Odds Ratio(AOR) of 1.63 (95 % CI = 1.23–2.17) for poor MH as 20/21 year olds, compared to girls with a high level of LTPA. Among boys, the corresponding AOR = 1.19 (95 % CI = 0.85–1.66). We found an exposure-response relationship between levels of LTPA and MH among girls, but not among boys. Girls with a reduction/persistent low level of LTPA between the ages of 15–18 had an increased risk for poor MH at age 20/21 compared to the reference group.

Conclusions

Among girls, we found an association between a low level of LTPA among 14/15 year olds as well as a reduction/persistent low level of LTPA over time with poor MH at 20/21 years. We found no association between low levels of LTPA and poor MH among 14/15 year olds boys however it appears that a reduction/persistent low level of LTPA over time may have some influence on the risk of poor MH at 20/21 years. It is important to address the change in habits of LTPA during adolescence to prevent poor MH.
Literature
1.
2.
Danish Health and Medicines Authority. January, 2012. Depression. http://​sundhedsstyrelse​n.​dk/​da/​sundhed/​folkesygdomme/​psykiatri/​depression.​ Accessed July 15, 2015
3.
Vos T, Flaxman AD, Naghavi M, Lozano R, Michaud C, Ezzati M, et al. Years lived with disability (YLDs) for 1160 sequelae of 289 diseases and injuries 1990–2010: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet. 2012;380(9859):2163–96.PubMedCrossRef
4.
5.
Belfer ML. Child and adolescent mental disorders: The magnitude of the problem across the globe. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2008;49(3):226–36.PubMedCrossRef
6.
Christensen AI, Davidsen M, Ekholm O, Pedersen PV, Juel K. 2014. Danskernes Sundhed: Den Nationale Sundhedsprofil 2013. Danish Health and Medicines Authority
7.
Ammouri AA, Kaur H, Neuberger GB, Gajewski B, Choi WS. Correlates of exercise participation in adolescents. Public Health Nurs. 2007;24(2):111–20.PubMedCrossRef
8.
Jerstad SJ, Boutelle KN, Ness KK, Stice E. Prospective reciprocal relations between physical activity and depression in female adolescents. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):268–72.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
9.
McKercher C, Sanderson K, Schmidt MD, Otahal P, Patton GC, Dwyer T, et al. Physical activity patterns and risk of depression in young adulthood: A 20-year cohort study since childhood. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2014;49(11):1823–34.PubMedCrossRef
10.
Rothon C, Edwards P, Bhui K, Viner RM, Taylor S, Stansfeld SA. Physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents: A prospective study. BMC Med. 2010;8:32.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
11.
Flotnes IS, Nilsen TIL, Augestad LB. Norwegian adolescents, physical activity and mental health: The Young-HUNT study. Nor Epidemiol. 2011;20(2):153–61.
12.
Moksnes UK, Moljord IEO, Espnes GA, Byrne DG. Leisure time physical activity does not moderate the relationship between stress and psychological functioning in Norwegian adolescents. Mental Health Phy Activ. 2010;3(1):17–22.CrossRef
13.
Ströhle A, Höfler M, Pfister H, Müller A, Hoyer J, Wittchen H, et al. Physical activity and prevalence and incidence of mental disorders in adolescents and young adults. Psychol Med. 2007;37(11):1657–66.PubMedCrossRef
14.
Pedersen BK, Andersen LB. 2011. Fysisk aktivitet- håndbog om forebyggelse og behandling. http://​sundhedsstyrelse​n.​dk/​publ/​Publ2012/​BOFO/​FysiskAktivitet/​FysiskAktivitetH​aandbog.​pdf.​ Accessed July 15, 2015.
15.
Bremnes AJ, Martinussen M, Laholt H, Bania EV, Kvernmo S. The association between mental health and physical activity among high-school students. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 2011;48(4):332–8.
16.
Sund AM, Larsson B, Wichstrøm L. Role of physical and sedentary activities in the development of depressive symptoms in early adolescence. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2011;46(5):431–41.PubMedCrossRef
17.
Rangul V, Holmen TL, Bauman A, Bratberg GH, Kurtze N, Midthjell K. Factors predicting changes in physical activity through adolescence: The Young-HUNT study. Norway J Adolescent Health. 2011;48(6):616–24.CrossRef
18.
Holstein BE, Henriksen PE, Krolner R, Rasmussen M, Due P. Trends in vigorous physical activity versus physical inactivity among 11–15 year olds from 1988 to 2002. Ugeskr Laeger. 2007;169(1):37–42.PubMed
19.
Ottosen MH, Andersen D, Nielsen LP, Lausten M, Stage S. 2010. Children and young people in Denmark- A national study on child well-being. Copenhagen.
20.
Cooney GM, Dwan K, Greig CA, Lawlor DA, Rimer J, Waugh FR, et al. Exercise for depression. The Cochrane Library. 2013;9:CD004366.
21.
Larun L, Nordheim LV, Ekeland E, Hagen KB, Heian F. Exercise in prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression among children and young people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;3(3):CD004691.PubMed
22.
Janssen I, le Blanc AG. Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2010; 7(40): Epub.
23.
Biddle SJ, Asare M. Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: A review of reviews. Br J Sports Med. 2011;45(11):886–95.PubMedCrossRef
24.
Bursnall P. The relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents: A systematic review. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2014;11(6):376–82.PubMedCrossRef
25.
Mikkelsen SS, Tolstrup JS, Flachs EM, Mortensen EL, Schnohr P, Flensborg-Madsen T. A cohort study of leisure time physical activity and depression. Prev Med. 2010;51(6):471–5.PubMedCrossRef
26.
Jonsdottir IH, Rodjer L, Hadzibajramovic E, Borjesson M, Ahlborg Jr G. A prospective study of leisure-time physical activity and mental health in Swedish health care workers and social insurance officers. Prev Med. 2010;51(5):373–7.PubMedCrossRef
27.
Mammen G, Faulkner G. Physical activity and the prevention of depression: A systematic review of prospective studies. Am J Prev Med. 2013;45(5):649–57.PubMedCrossRef
28.
Motl RW, Birnbaum AS, Kubik MY, Dishman RK. Naturally occurring changes in physical activity are inversely related to depressive symptoms during early adolescence. Psychosom Med. 2004;66(3):336–42.PubMed
29.
Kremer P, Elshaug C, Leslie E, Toumbourou JW, Patton GC, Williams J. Physical activity, leisure-time screen use and depression among children and young adolescents. J Sci Med Sport. 2013;17(2):183–7.PubMedCrossRef
30.
Jacka FN, Pasco JA, Williams LJ, Leslie ER, Dodd S, Nicholson GC, et al. Lower levels of physical activity in childhood associated with adult depression. J Sci Med Sport. 2011;14(3):222–6.PubMedCrossRef
31.
Sagatun A, Sogaard AJ, Bjertness E, Selmer R, Heyerdahl S. The association between weekly hours of physical activity and mental health: a three-year follow-up study of 15-16-year-old students in the city of Oslo. Norway BMC Public Health. 2007;7:155.PubMedCrossRef
32.
Neissaar I, Raudsepp L. Changes in physical activity, self-efficacy and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2011;23(3):331–43.PubMed
33.
Hume C, Timperio A, Veitch J, Salmon J, Crawford D, Ball K. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and depressive symptoms among adolescents. J Phys Act Health. 2011;8(2):152–6.PubMed
34.
Toseeb U, Brage S, Corder K, Dunn VJ, Jones PB, Owens M, et al. Exercise and depressive symptoms in adolescents: A longitudinal cohort study. JAMA Pediatr. 2014;168(12):1093–100.PubMedCrossRef
35.
36.
Winding TN, Andersen JH, Labriola M, Nohr EA. Initial non-participation and loss to follow-up in a Danish youth cohort: Implications for relative risk estimates. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2014;68(2):137–44.PubMedCrossRef
37.
Fendrich M, Weissman MM, Warner V. Screening for depressive disorder in children and adolescents: Validating the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children. Am J Epidemiol. 1990;131(3):538–51.PubMed
38.
Smarr KL, Keefer AL. Measures of depression and depressive symptoms: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2011;63 Suppl 11:S454–66.CrossRef
39.
40.
Wichstrøm L, von Soest T, Kvalem IL. Predictors of growth and decline in leisure time physical activity from adolescence to adulthood. Health Psychol. 2013;32(7):775–84.PubMedCrossRef
41.
Stavrakakis N, de Jonge P, Ormel J, Oldehinkel AJ. Bidirectional prospective associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms, The TRAILS Study. J Adolesc Health. 2012;50(5):503–8.PubMedCrossRef
42.
Brunet J, Sabiston CM, Chaiton M, Barnett TA, O'Loughlin E, Low NC, et al. The association between past and current physical activity and depressive symptoms in young adults: A 10-year prospective study. Ann Epidemiol. 2013;23(1):25–30.PubMedCrossRef
43.
Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000;320(7244):1240–3.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
44.
Baadsgaard M, Quitzau J. Danish registers on personal income and transfer payments. Scand J Public Health. 2011;39(7 Suppl):103–5.PubMedCrossRef
45.
Desha LN, Ziviani JM, Nicholson JM, Martin G, Darnell RE. Physical activity and depressive symptoms in American adolescents. J Sport Exercise Psychol. 2007;29(4):534–43.
46.
Skrove M, Romundstad P, Indredavik MS. Resilience, lifestyle and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescence: The Young-HUNT study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2013;48(3):407–16.PubMedCrossRef
47.
Helweg-Larsen K, Andersen S, Nielsen UB, Madsen M. Kønsperspektivet i unges trivsel og sundhedsadfærd i starten af det 21. århundrede. 2003.
48.
Juul S. Epidemiologi og evidens. København: Munksgaard; 2010.
49.
Glasscock DJ, Andersen JH, Labriola M, Rasmussen K, Hansen CD. Can negative life events and coping style help explain socioeconomic differences in perceived stress among adolescents? A cross-sectional study based on the West Jutland cohort study. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:532-2458-13-532.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The association between leisure time physical activity in adolescence and poor mental health in early adulthood: a prospective cohort study
Authors
Per Hoegh Poulsen
Karin Biering
Johan Hviid Andersen
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2658-5

Other articles of this Issue 1/2016

BMC Public Health 1/2016 Go to the issue

Research article

The association of the neighbourhood built environment with objectively measured physical activity in older adults with and without lower limb osteoarthritis

Research article

Greek health professionals’ perceptions of the HPV vaccine, state policy recommendations and their own role with regards to communication of relevant health information

Research article

Health literacy and the determinants of obesity: a population-based survey of sixth grade school children in Taiwan

Research article

Utilisation of health services and the poor: deconstructing wealth-based differences in facility-based delivery in the Philippines

Research article

Promoting physical activity with a school-based dance mat exergaming intervention: qualitative findings from a natural experiment

Research article

A systematic review on the clustering and co-occurrence of multiple risk behaviours