Physical activity and mental health in adolescence : a longitudinal study in a multiethnic cohort

Abstract

Public health discussions of physical activity’s positive health effects have tended to focus on physical health benefits rather than mental health benefits. Mental health problems are a worldwide public health burden. Among adults some evidence suggests that physical activity is a protective factor in relation to mental health problems. The same body of literature is not present among adolescents. With regard to prevention of mental health problems it is important to identify vulnerable groups that need special attention. If physical activity can be a preventive strategy, knowledge of physical activity in subgroups of adolescents is important. With an increasing influx of immigrants to the Western parts of the world, cultural/ethnic background has become an important factor when studying health and health behaviour in a public health perspective. Inequality in health has also been a subject of increased attention during the last years, thus it is of great importance to study the significance of sociodemographic factors.