Mental health conditions are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Estimates suggest that between 25% and 31% of adolescents and young adults are affected by depression and anxiety around the world. Understanding more about modifiable lifestyle factors for mental health is crucial for addressing this growing issue.
In the current study, researchers investigated whether cumulative lifestyle behaviors from childhood to adolescence are linked with perceived stress and depressive symptoms in adolescence. To do so, they analyzed data from 187 participants who were aged 6-9 years old at the start of the study.
The researchers included measures of screen time, cumulative physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and diet quality from childhood to adolescence. Baseline data was collected between 2007 and 2009, with a follow-up conducted 8 years later between 2015 and 2017.
Ultimately, the researchers found that self-reported physical activity and supervised exercise were inversely-linked to perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, total screen time, computer use, and use of mobile devices were positively linked to perceived stress. Mobile device use was also positively linked with depressive symptoms.
Associations were stronger for screen time and depressive symptoms than physical activity and depressive symptoms.
"Several international, evidence-based recommendations suggest that the leisure screen time of children and adolescents should be limited to two hours per day. Personally, I think that even this figure is high, as it amounts to almost one month of screen time per year," said study author, Eero Haapala, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, in a press release.
"Society as a whole- from families to policymakers- must invest in promoting healthy lifestyles for children and adolescents by ensuring balanced screen time, sufficient physical activity, adequate sleep, and a nutritious diet,” he concluded.
Sources: Science Daily, JAMA Network Open