Longitudinal associations between physical activity intensity and mental health problems in overweight/obese youth

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.