Physical activity and mental health among adolescents in Norway; a longitudinal study

Oral Presentation B14.2

Authors

  • Ingeborg B. Vedøy Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
  • Knut R. Skulberg Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
  • Hege E. Tjomsland Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
  • Sigmund A. Anderssen Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
  • Miranda Thurston Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.583

Keywords:

Adolescents, Physical Activity, Accelerometry, Mental Health

Abstract

Background: Recent data suggest that the mental health (MH) of many adolescents is less than optimal in Norway as elsewhere. Physical activity (PA) has been proposed as a possible modifiable factor that could influence MH in a positive way. Previous studies have mainly used a cross-sectional design to explore these associations and used a single measure of MH. Purpose: Explore whether changes in objectively assessed PA [Total PA and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)] are associated with changes in mental health problems and mental well-being among adolescents. Methods: Longitudinal data were collected in three waves between 2016-2018. Baseline participation comprised 599 adolescents (54.4% girls; mean age 13.3 years). Total PA and MVPA were measured by ActiGraph GT3X+/BT. Mental health problems were measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and mental well-being by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale (WEMWBS). Partial correlation analysis was used to model the associations between changes in PA and MH. Results: Neither main analysis, nor gender specific sub-analysis showed any evidence for changes in PA [Total PA and MVPA] being associated with changes in mental health problems (p>0.05) or mental well-being (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our data suggest that changes in Total PA and MVPA are unrelated to changes in mental health problems and mental wellbeing among adolescents during lower secondary school. The pattern was similar among boys and girls, indicating that gender differences in PA-level and measures of MH did not explain the results of the main analysis. Funding: Study funded by the Norwegian Research Council (238212/F60).

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Vedøy, I., Skulberg, K., Tjomsland, H., Anderssen, S., & Thurston, M. (2021). Physical activity and mental health among adolescents in Norway; a longitudinal study: Oral Presentation B14.2. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.583

Most read articles by the same author(s)