The association between adolescent self-reported physical activity and wellness: the missing piece for youth wellness programs.
OBJECTIVE
Potential positive associations between youth physical activity and wellness scores could emphasize the value of youth physical activity engagement and promotion interventions, beyond the many established physiological and psychological benefits of increased physical activity. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between adolescents' self-reported physical activity and wellness.


METHODS
This investigation included 493 adolescents (165 males and 328 females) aged between 12 and 15 years. The participants were recruited from six secondary schools of varying socioeconomic status within a metropolitan area. Students were administered the Five-Factor Wellness Inventory and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents to assess both wellness and physical activity, respectively.


RESULTS
Data indicated that significant associations between physical activity and wellness existed. Self-reported physical activity was shown to be positively associated with four dimensions including friendship, gender identity, spirituality, and exercise-the higher order factor physical self and total wellness, and negatively associated with self-care, self-worth, love, and cultural identity.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that relationships exist between self-reported physical activity and various elements of wellness. Future research should use controlled trials of physical activity and wellness to establish causal links among youth populations. Understanding the nature of these relationships, including causality, has implications for the justification of youth physical activity promotion interventions and the development of youth physical activity engagement programs.
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: j.rachele@qut.edu.au.
Jerome N
JN
Rachele
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.
Thomas F
TF
Cuddihy
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.
Tracy L
TL
Washington
School of Public Health and Social Work and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Queensland Department of Health, Queensland, Australia.
Steven M
SM
McPhail
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011793:Queensland; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Cross-sectional studies; Exercise; Questionnaire; Sedentary; Survey; Teenager; Well-being