Longitudinal Association Between Physical Activity Engagement During Adolescence and Mental Health Outcomes in Young Adults: A 21-Year Birth Cohort Study

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Suetani, S
Mamun, A
Williams, G
Najman, J
McGrath, J
Scott, J
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2018
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Auckland, New Zealand

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Abstract

Background: Previous studies provide mixed evidence that physical activity engagement (PAE) in adolescence is associated with later mental health outcomes.

Objectives: To examine the association between PAE at age 14 years and mental health outcomes at age 21 years using a large birth cohort study.

Methods: Prospective data from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy, consisting of 3493 young adults, were analysed. PAE at age 14 years was estimated using self-report, and participants were categorized into frequent, infrequent or no PAE groups. Mental health outcomes at age 21 years consisted of common mental disorders, psychosis-related outcomes and emotional and behavioural problems. The association between PAE in adolescence and later mental health outcomes in young adulthood was examined using logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index and adolescent psychopathology.

Findings: No PAE at age 14 years was associated with the increased likelihood of a lifetime diagnosis of any affective disorder, elevated delusional ideation and endorsement of visual perceptual disturbance at age 21 years. Conversely, infrequent PAE at age 14 years was associated with the decreased likelihood of subsequent lifetime diagnosis of any substance use disorder.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that lack of PAE in adolescence influences some, but not all, later mental health outcomes. Interventions to increase PAE in adolescence may represent an opportunity to prevent future mental health problems.

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Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

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52

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1_suppl

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Biomedical and clinical sciences

Psychology

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Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Psychiatry

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Suetani, S; Mamun, A; Williams, G; Najman, J; McGrath, J; Scott, J, Longitudinal Association Between Physical Activity Engagement During Adolescence and Mental Health Outcomes in Young Adults: A 21-Year Birth Cohort Study, Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2018, 52, pp. 131-131