Norway study links infrequent exercise to student mental health risks

student mental health physical activity depression risk anxiety risk Norway study

A Norwegian study published in the journal PLOS ONE indicates a significant link between the frequency of physical exercise and the risk of developing mental health issues among students.

Researchers utilized data from the Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (SHoT), which initially included over 53,000 participants aged 18-35 in 2022. A follow-up study of over 10,000 students one year later revealed that the frequency of exercise was a more consistent predictor of mental health than the intensity or duration of the activity.

Findings show that female students who exercise very little or not at all face a 15 percent higher risk of depression or anxiety compared to those who are active daily. For male students, the risk is 33 percent higher among those who do not engage in significant exercise. Michael Grasdalsmoen, a researcher at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, noted that encouraging physical activity could be a vital component of a healthy learning environment.

Entities

Michael Grasdalsmoen · PLOS ONE · Student Health and Wellbeing Survey · Western Norway University of Applied Sciences · World Health Organization

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Female students with very low or no physical activity have a 15 percent higher risk of depression or anxiety compared to daily active students. www.agderposten.no · www.bt.no · www.vg.no
[● 3 SOURCES] The frequency of exercise has a clearer connection to mental health than the intensity or duration of the workouts. www.agderposten.no · www.bt.no · www.vg.no
[● 3 SOURCES] Students who exercise infrequently have a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety one year later. www.agderposten.no · www.bt.no · www.vg.no
[● 3 SOURCES] A follow-up study conducted one year later included over 10,000 students. www.agderposten.no · www.bt.no · www.vg.no
[● 3 SOURCES] The 2022 Student Health and Wellbeing Survey included over 53,000 participants aged 18 to 35. www.agderposten.no · www.bt.no · www.vg.no
[● 3 SOURCES] Male students who do not exercise significantly face a 33 percent higher risk of depression or anxiety. www.agderposten.no · www.bt.no · www.vg.no
[● 3 SOURCES] Psychological disorders among students represent a growing public health issue. www.agderposten.no · www.bt.no · www.vg.no

Sources

Psykiske lidelser blant studenter: – Økende folkehelseproblem [www.agderposten.no]

21 days ago

Studenter som trener sjelden, har høyere risiko for psykiske lidelser [www.bt.no]

21 days ago

Studenter som trener sjelden, har høyere risiko for psykiske lidelser [www.vg.no]

21 days ago