Physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents: a prospective study

Catherine Rothon,Russell M Viner,Kamaldeep Bhui,Stephanie Taylor,Phil Edwards,Stephen A Stansfeld

doi:10.1186/1741-7015-8-32

Abstract

BackgroundThe frequency of mental illness amongst adolescents and its potential long-term consequences make it an important topic to research in relation to risk and protective factors. Research on the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents is limited. There is a particular lack of evidence from longitudinal studies. This study examines the relationship between depression and physical activity using the Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey (RELACHS).MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study. Participants were recruited from three Local Education Authority boroughs in East London in 2001 from year 7 (aged 11-12) and year 9 (aged 13-14) and were followed-up in 2003. All pupils in the 28 schools that took part were eligible for the study. Of the total 3,322 pupils eligible for the survey the overall response rate was 84% (2,789 pupils). A total of 2,093 (75%) pupils were also followed-up in 2003. The sample was multiethnic (73% of respondents were non-white) and deprived. Just under half of the sample was male (49%). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ). Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.ResultsAfter adjustments, there was evidence for a cross-sectional association between physical activity and depressive symptoms for both boys and girls at baseline, with a decrease in the odds of depressive symptoms of about 8% for each additional hour of exercise undertaken per week (boys: odds ratio (OR) = 0.92, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.99; girls: OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.00). There was no evidence for an association between a change in physical activity from baseline to follow-up and depressive symptoms at follow-up.ConclusionsThis study provides some evidence for an association between level of physical activity and decreased depressive symptoms in adolescents. Further longitudinal research of these associations is required before physical activity can be recommended as an intervention for depression in adolescents.

Highlights

The frequency of mental illness amongst adolescents and its potential long-term consequences make it an important topic to research in relation to risk and protective factors
The first is the distraction hypothesis. This theory posits that it is the 'time out' that physical activity provides that enhances mood rather than any biochemical or physiological mechanism. This hypothesis has been supported by experimental studies that have demonstrated that physical activity was no more efficient in improving mood than an equivalent period of relaxation [6,7]
This study examines the relationship between depression and physical activity using the Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey (RELACHS) [24]

Summary

Introduction

The frequency of mental illness amongst adolescents and its potential long-term consequences make it an important topic to research in relation to risk and protective factors. This study examines the relationship between depression and physical activity using the Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey (RELACHS). This theory posits that it is the 'time out' that physical activity provides that enhances mood rather than any biochemical or physiological mechanism. This hypothesis has been supported by experimental studies that have demonstrated that physical activity was no more efficient in improving mood than an equivalent period of relaxation [6,7]. The third explanation relates to the indirect effect that physical activity has on mood through providing increased opportunities for social interaction. Those that engage in programmes of physical activity have the potential to modify their body shape, leading to an improvement in self-image [12]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion