Lifestyle habits and depressive symptoms in Norwegian adolescents: a national cross- sectional study

This 2021 study examined the relationship between lifestyle habits and depressive symptoms among a sample of Norwegian adolescents who partook in the Ungdata Surveys in 2017-2019. The survey asked the adolescents (aged 13-19 years) about their depressive behaviors and lifestyle habits (such as physical activity level, social media use, gaming, dietary habits, smoking, smokeless tobacco, and alcohol intoxication). Kleppang et al. found that depressive signs were significantly less likely to be reported by those who took part in some form of physical activity at least 3 times per week, used social media 3 hours or less on a daily basis, played video games 3 hours or less per day, non-smokers, and who hadn’t been intoxicated (alcohol) in the past 12 months. Among the girls, low depressive symptoms showed correlations with high consumption of healthy foods and low intake of unhealthy food and drinks. A similar relationship was observed among the boys. There was also a strong association between higher adherence to healthy lifestyle habits with lower risk of having depressive symptoms among both males and females, with 60% and 48% reduced odds in boys and girls, respectively. This study highlights that a healthier lifestyle is linked with lower chances of having depression. [NPID: lifestyle, depression, anxiety, lifestyle choices, lifestyle habits, Norway, Norwegian, depression, alcohol, smoking, video games, healthy lifestyle, healthy foods]

Year: 2021

Reference: Kleppang, A.L., Haugland, S.H., Bakken, A. et al. Lifestyle habits and depressive symptoms in Norwegian adolescents: a national cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 21, 816 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10846-1

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