title: Behavioural factors enhancing mental health - preliminary results of the study on its association with physial activity in 15 to 16 year olds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reliable information on the influence of behavioural factors on adolescent mental health may help to implement more effective intervention programmes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to determine whether physical activity influences the variability of selected indices of mental health.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised 2,015 students aged 15-16, who were investigated as part of the HBSC survey (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) in the 2013/14 school year. The dependent variable was the mental health index GHQ-12 (0-36 points) and its two domains (social dysfunction, anxiety and depression). Physical activity was measured with the MVPA (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity). Multivariable linear models were estimated, with overall GHQ index and partial indices as dependent variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents reported a mean GHQ-12 score of 12.57 (±7.06). In a multivariable analysis, the pressure with school work along with gender resulted to be the main GHQ-12 predictors. School achievements and a high level of physical activity were identified as strong protective factors. Taking into account other factors, the GHQ-12 index falls by 2.13 points when comparing adolescents with an extremely low and high MVPA. Protective effect of physical activity appeared to be stronger in small towns and villages than in big cities and was more visible in the domain of social dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity remains an important predictor of mental health, even when the impact of sociodemographic and environmental factors as well as the respondents' school achievements are considered. Researches of such types, taking into account more complex determinants, wider behavioural factors' spectre as well as other outcome measures connected with teenagers' mental condition, should be continue.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Zdrowia Dzieci i Młodzieży, Instytut Matki i Dziecka, Warszawa.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazur
authors.affiliation: Katedra Teorii Wychowania Fizycznego i Pedagogiki, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. J. Piłsudskiego, Warszawa.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nałęcz
authors.affiliation: Fundacja Instytutu Matki i Dziecka.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kleszczewska
authors.affiliation: Katedra Biomedycznych Podstaw Rozwoju i Seksuologii, Wydział Pedagogiczny, Uniwersytet Warszawski.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Małkowska-Szkutnik
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borraccino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords:  academic achievements;  adolescents ;  physical activity;  protective factors; mental health