Outdoor physical activity, mental health, life satisfaction, happiness and life stress among Canadian adolescents.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this article is to examine the association between outdoor physical activity (OPA) and mental health, life satisfaction, happiness and life stress among Canadian adolescents aged 12 to 17 years.

Methods: This cross-sectional and nationally representative study used self-reported data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (n = 10 413). The survey categorized OPA into six groups (from 0 to ≥ 14 hours/week). Logistic regression analyses examined the associations between OPA levels and outcomes, with adjustments for relevant covariates.

Results: In adjusted models, OPA was not significantly associated with anxiety or depressive symptoms. Compared to adolescents with no OPA, those who engaged in ≥ 14 hours/week had higher odds of positive mental health (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-2.38), high life satisfaction (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.24-2.46) and high happiness (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.59-3.50), independent of covariates including indoor physical activity. A positive dose-response relationship was observed between higher levels of OPA and life satisfaction and happiness.

Conclusion: Independent of indoor physical activity and other covariates, OPA was associated with positive mental health, high life satisfaction and high happiness, with levels of OPA of ≥ 14 hours/week (highest category) showing the strongest associations. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking OPA with higher life satisfaction and happiness.