Background: Psychosocial problems negatively affect school performance, social skills and mental development. In recent years, researchers have investigated the relationship between physical activity and psychological health. With this large school-based study, we examined whether physically inactive adolescents and slightly active adolescents experience more psychosocial problems compared with active adolescents.
Methods: This study is based on the Dutch National Youth Health Monitor. This monitor uses a, school-based, cross-sectional questionnaire conducted among 96 617 adolescents in 2015. To examine the association between physical exercise and psychosocial problems, multi-level linear regression was carried out.
Results: The weighted average Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire score of active adolescents was lower than that of inactive adolescents. Adolescents who are inactive had 12% (β = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.10-1.14; P <0 .001) more psychosocial problems compared with active adolescents. Further, inactive adolescents had a higher score on the subscales emotional problems (β = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.17-1.22; P < 0.001) and problems with peers (β = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.14-1.19; P < 0.001). There was no statistical significant difference in total score of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire between active and slightly active adolescents.
Conclusion: Physically active adolescents have fewer psychosocial problems compared with physically inactive adolescents. Not only is this association significant, but there is an indication that it is also of clinical relevance.