Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to describe associations between physical activity (PA), mental health and academic achievement in a Norwegian adolescent cohort. MethodsIn total, 1001 adolescents were invited to participate, of whom 599 (54.4% female, mean age ± SD 13.3 ± 0.3y) entered the study. PA was measured objectively using accelerometers, variables on mental health were assessed through an online questionnaire and academic achievement was assessed using grade point average (GPA) collected through school records. The associations between PA, mental health and academic achievement were modelled using multiple linear regression. ResultsPA was positively associated with mental wellbeing (p ≤ .05), self-perception of athletic competence (p ≤ .001) and self-perception of social acceptance (p ≤ .001). It was not associated with global self-esteem or mental health complaints. No significant association between PA and GPA was found. However, results showed a significant association between PA and grade in physical education among girls (p ≤ .001). ConclusionPA was associated with mental wellbeing and domain specific self-esteem although the causal significance of the association requires further investigation. The current study does not support associations between PA and mental health problems or PA and academic achievement. Further studies are necessary to investigate the longitudinal relationship between PA, variables of mental health and academic achievement amongst adolescents.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to describe associations between physical activity (PA), mental health and academic achievement in a Norwegian adolescent cohort
Total PA (CPM) was positively associated with both mental wellbeing (p ≤ .01), self-perception of athletic competence (p ≤ .001) and self-perception of social acceptance (p ≤ .001). It was not associated with global self-esteem or mental health complaints (Table 2)
This is the first study that looks at associations between objectively measured PA and mental wellbeing measured by Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale (WEMWBS) in an adolescent population
Summary
The purpose of this study was to describe associations between physical activity (PA), mental health and academic achievement in a Norwegian adolescent cohort. Results: PA was positively associated with mental wellbeing (p ≤ .05), self-perception of athletic competence (p ≤ .001) and self-perception of social acceptance (p ≤ .001). The current study does not support associations between PA and mental health problems or PA and academic achievement. Further studies are necessary to investigate the longitudinal relationship between PA, variables of mental health and academic achievement amongst adolescents. The relationship between physical activity (PA) and various dimensions of mental health, especially among children and young people, has received increased attention in recent years (see for example, Biddle, Ciaccioni, Thomas, and Vergeer, 2018). The putative role of PA in mental health promotion, prevention of mental health problems and academic achievement among the young has been increasingly debated both within and beyond the research field (Dale, Vanderloo, Moore, & Faulkner, 2019; Lubans et al, 2016)
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