KATHERINE WILLIAMSON PADILLA

12/16 /2010BAY BRIDGE TRAINING CENTER

Effects of Diet and Exercise on the Mental Health of

Adolescents in California

Agenda

BackgroundData Sources & Collection MethodUnivariate Analysis (1)Multivariate Analysis (2)Qualitative Analysis (3)Conclusion

Data shows kids who eat more fruits and vegetables and engage in physical activity are less likely to experience mental health issues. Socioeconomic status, however, plays a larger role.

Background

Adolescence is key!Causes of Mental IllnessResearch on Adults..but what about kids?Why is this important?

Clayton SL, Brindis, CD, Hamor JA, Raiden-Wright H, Fong, C. (2000). Investing in AdolescentHealth: A Social Imperative for California’s Future. San Francisco, CA: University of California, San Francisco. National Adolescent Health Information Center.

Data

Data Collection

RDD telephone survey of land / cell phone lines in CA

41 single county strata & 3 multi-county strata of 17 counties

1 Adult & 1 AdolescentN = 3,638 adolescents

Variables & Operational Measures

Unit of Analysis: Adolescents in the State of CA

Dependent Variable: Mental Health Status as measured by “feelings of depression within the last 30 days”

Independent Variables: Eating & Exercise habits

Univariate Analysis (1)Is mental health normally distributed? (No!)

1 = All of the Time

2 = Most of the Time

3 = Some of the Time

4 = Not very much of the Time

5 = Not at All

.5% = All of the Time

77.3% = Not at All

Skewness = -2.303

Univariate Analysis

Are good eating habits normally distributed? (No!)

1 = Yes

2 = No

21.8% = Yes

78.2= No

Skewness = -.1.369

Univariate (1) Analysis

Are good exercise habits normally distributed? (Somewhat)

Multivariate Analysis (2)

R squared = .015

There is a correlation, but its weak …..

Regression Analysis reveals that more fruits/veggies & more exercise =less depression

What effects how much exercise/fruits/veggies a kid gets?

Maybe SES…

Multivariate Analysis (2)R squared for fruits/vegs & exercise & depression = .015

R squared for SES & depression = .020

R squared for SES & exercise = .023

*knowing exercise only increased predictive value by 3% (but forecast accuracy does increase by 50% more than knowing just fruits/vegs)...SES is most significant

Crosstab of SES & depression reveals a correlation- 81% of kids in top SES class not at all depressed compared with 61% of kids in the bottom SES (4% vs. 11% for “sometimes depressed)

Regression of fruits/vegs & activity has less predictive value than SES alone

Qualitative Data (3)

7 question, open-ended survey

 Example Questions -- How do life style choices like

eating and exercise habits influence the mental health of adolescents?

  Drawing on experiences from

your patients, have you noticed any correlation between lack of exercise and/or unhealthful eating habits and poor mental health?

  

School Psychologist

School

Nurse

Public Health Nurse

Special Educati

on Teacher

School Board

Member

Qualitative Analysis (3)

Response Category Description Assigned Code Frequency Percentage of Total Responses

Poor eating habits/lack of exercise = depression

1 I I I 37%

Healthy eating/consistent exercise = positive attitude & better mental health

2 I I 25%

Poor eating habits/lack of exercise = social problem

3 I I 25%

Influence student perception & body image

4 I 12.5%

Total 8 99.5%

Question 1: How do life style choices like eating and exercise habits influence the mental health of teens?

Qualitative Analysis Highlights

42% Of total responses indicated diet & exercise make adolescents feel better (endorphins) when dealing with depression

37% said higher levels of diet/exercise led to improved self-esteem in kids

Conclusion

There is a link…but its weakQualitative Data Confirms SES is more predictiveWhy?What can I take away from this?

Thanks!