Journal article
Longitudinal associations between physical activity intensity and mental health problems in overweight/obese youth
Applied psychology: health and well-being, Vol.17(4), pp.1-21
08/2025
PMID: 40831329
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Mental health challenges in overweight/obese youth represent a growing public health concern. Physical activity (PA) may protect against adverse mental health outcomes in this population. However, research has yet to fully examine how specific PA dosage characteristics, such as PA intensity, affect mental health trajectories among overweight/obese youth. This study used longitudinal data from the Millennium Cohort Study (N = 858) to examine how PA intensity at age 7 predicts mental health outcomes at ages 11 and 14. Accelerometer-measured PA was categorized into moderate-to-vigorous-intensity (MVPA) and light-intensity (LPA) activity. Higher MVPA at age 7 predicted fewer internalizing problems at ages 11 (β = -0.014, p = 0.018) and 14 (β = -0.023, p = 0.001), with stronger effects over time being observed for the peer problem-related component of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). In contrast, LPA was associated with increased externalizing problems at age 11 (β = 0.007, p = 0.008), particularly the hyperactivity component of the SDQ, and this effect was no longer reliable at 14. These findings suggest that promoting MVPA is important to support mental health outcomes in overweight/obese youth, although intervention studies are needed to test causality.
Details
- Title
- Longitudinal associations between physical activity intensity and mental health problems in overweight/obese youth
- Creators
- Jinming Li - Shenzhen UniversityFabian Herold - HMU Health and Medical University ErfurtYanxia Chen - Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityZhihao Zhang - Shenzhen UniversityAndré O Werneck - Universidade de São PauloTai Ji - Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityCassandra J Lowe - University of ExeterBenjamin Tari - University College LondonMats Hallgren - Karolinska Institute (Swedan)Brendon Stubbs - King's College LondonMyrto Mavilidi - University of Limassol (Cyprus)Matthew Heath - University of Western OntarioFred Paas - Erasmus University RotterdamLiye Zou - Shenzhen University
- Publication Details
- Applied psychology: health and well-being, Vol.17(4), pp.1-21
- Publisher
- International Association of Applied Psychology; HOBOKEN
- Identifiers
- 991013333628602368
- Copyright
- © 2025 International Association of Applied Psychology.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article