Physical activity and depression in adolescents: cross-sectional findings from the ALSPAC cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Few studies have examined the association between physical activity (PA), measured objectively, and adolescent depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between objective measures of PA (total PA and time spent in moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA)) and adolescent depressive symptoms.

Methods

Data on 2,951 adolescents participating in ALSPAC were used. Depressive symptoms were measured using the self-report Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) (short version). Measures of PA were based on accelerometry. The association between PA and MFQ scores was modelled using ordinal regression.

Results

Adolescents who were more physically active (total PA or minutes of MVPA) had a reduced odds of depressive symptoms [OR(adj)

SUBMITTER: Wiles NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3382270 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature