Physical activity, mental health and academic achievement: A cross-sectional study of Norwegian adolescents

The purpose of this study was to describe associations between physical activity (PA), mental health and academic achievement in a Norwegian adolescent cohort. In total, 1001 adolescents were invited to participate, of whom 599 (54.4% female, mean age ± SD 13.3 ± 0.3y) entered the study. PA was measured objectively using accelerometers, variables on mental health were assessed through an online questionnaire and academic achievement was assessed using grade point average (GPA) collected through school records. The associations between PA, mental health and academic achievement were modelled using multiple linear regression. PA was positively associated with mental wellbeing (p ≤ .05), self-perception of athletic competence (p ≤ .001) and self-perception of social acceptance (p ≤ .001). It was not associated with global self-esteem or mental health complaints. No significant association between PA and GPA was found. However, results showed a significant association between PA and grade in physical education among girls (p ≤ .001). PA was associated with mental wellbeing and domain specific self-esteem although the causal significance of the association requires further investigation. The current study does not support associations between PA and mental health problems or PA and academic achievement. Further studies are necessary to investigate the longitudinal relationship between PA, variables of mental health and academic achievement amongst adolescents. •We explored the association between physical activity and mental health among youth.•Physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometers.•Physical activity was associated with wellbeing and domain-specific self-esteem.•Physical activity was not associated with mental health complaints.•There was no association between physical activity and academic achievement.