Physical activity, leisure-time screen use and depression among children and young adolescents

• Published in: Journal of science and medicine in sport Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 183 - 187
• Main Authors: Kremer, Peter, Elshaug, Christine, Leslie, Eva, Toumbourou, John W., Patton, George C., Williams, Joanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2014; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Australia - epidemiology; Child; Children; Children & youth; Computers - utilization; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depression - epidemiology; Exercise; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Leisure; Male; Mental depression; Motor Activity; Older people; Physical education; Physical fitness; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Sex Factors; Sports - psychology; Sports Medicine; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teenagers; Television; Television - utilization; Time Factors; Video Games - statistics & numerical data; Australia; Western Australia Australia; Depression; Physical fitness; Exercise; Children; Television; Adolescents
• ISSN: 1440-2440; 1878-1861; 1878-1861
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2013.03.012

Adolescent mental disorders remain a relatively neglected area of research, despite evidence that these conditions affect youth disproportionately. We examined associations between physical activity, leisure-time screen use and depressive symptoms among Australian children and adolescents. Large cross-sectional observational study. Self-reported physical activity and leisure-time screen behaviours, and depressive symptoms using the Short Mood and Feeling Questionnaire were assessed in 8256 students aged 10–16 years (mean age=11.5 years, SD=0.8). Thirty three percent of the sample reported moderate to high depressive symptoms, with rates higher among females (OR=1.18; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.36; p=0.001). Increased opportunities to be active at school outside class (OR=0.70; 0.58, 0.85; p<0.001), being active in physical education classes (OR=0.77; 0.69, 0.86; p<0.001), greater involvement in sports teams at school (OR=0.77; 0.67, 0.88; p<0.001) and outside of school (OR=0.84; 0.73, 0.96; p=0.01) were all independently associated with lower odds for depressive symptoms. Meeting recommended guidelines for physical activity (OR=0.62; 0.44, 0.88; p=0.007) and, for 12–14 year olds, leisure-time screen use (OR=0.77; 0.59, 0.99; p=0.04) were also independently associated with lower odds for depressive symptoms. Higher levels of physical activity among children and young adolescents, and lower levels of leisure-time screen use among young adolescents, are associated with lower depressive symptoms. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the causal relationships between these variables.