Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) are an important determinant of health among children and youth. However, research examining how the various movement behaviours interact to influence physical and mental health is in its infancy. In our study, we investigated whether adolescents in grades 7 to 12 could be categorized into distinct groups based on levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep as well as whether group membership predicted differences in self-rated physical health and depressive symptoms one year later. Results demonstrated evidence of five unique movement behaviour groups: high physical activity/low sedentary behaviour/high sleep (31%), high physical activity/high sedentary behaviour/high sleep (3%), low physical activity/low sedentary behaviour/high sleep (54%), low physical activity/high sedentary behaviour/high sleep (10%) and low physical activity/moderate sedentary behaviour/very high sleep (2%). Group membership significantly predicted physical and mental health one year later. Specifically, the high physical activity/low sedentary behaviour/high sleep group reported significantly lower depressive symptoms and greater physical health compared to each group, whereas the low physical activity/moderate sedentary behaviour/very high sleep group reported significantly higher depressive symptoms compared to each group. Overall, findings suggest that unique combinations of various movement behaviours shape developmental health trajectories in adolescence. Considering adolescents that do not follow a lifestyle consisting of being active while also engaging in low levels of sedentary behaviour and not getting too much sleep are at increased risk of future physical and mental health problems, it is important that we intervene during this critical period to reduce health risks as they transition into adulthood.