High levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with good self-rated health in adolescents

Adolescent self-rated health is a strong predictor of future illness. In this study we investigated whether physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with self-rated health among adolescents aged 16 years. The study sample comprised 7,063 adolescents from the Northern Finland Bi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physical activity & health 2015-02, Vol.12 (2), p.266-272
Main Authors: Kantomaa, Marko T, Tammelin, Tuija, Ebeling, Hanna, Stamatakis, Emmanuel, Taanila, Anja
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Dependence
Exercise
Female
Finland
Health Status
Heart - physiology
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Motor Activity
Odds Ratio
Physical Exertion
Physical fitness
Physical Fitness - physiology
Respiration
Self Concept
Surveys and Questionnaires
Teenagers
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Summary:Adolescent self-rated health is a strong predictor of future illness. In this study we investigated whether physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with self-rated health among adolescents aged 16 years. The study sample comprised 7,063 adolescents from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (NFBC 1986) who responded to a postal questionnaire in 2001 to 2002. Self-rated health was measured by a single-item question, while physical activity was evaluated by a set of questions concerning the intensity and volume of physical activity outside school hours. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with a submaximal cycle ergometer test. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for good self-rated health were obtained from multinomial logistic regression. High levels of physical activity (boys: OR 5.50, 95% CI 3.16 to 9.58; girls: OR 4.25, 95% CI 2.37 to 7.61) and cardiorespiratory fitness (boys: OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.24; girls: OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.66) were associated with very good self-rated health in adolescents. High levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are positively associated with adolescents' self-rated health. Public health promotion activities that foster physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness may benefit young people's overall health and well-being.
ISSN:1543-3080
1543-5474
DOI:10.1123/jpah.2013-0062