Abstract

RUIZ-ARIZA, Alberto; TORRE-CRUZ, Manuel J. de la; REDECILLAS-PEIRO, María T.  and  MARTINEZ-LOPEZ, Emilio J.. Influence of active commuting on happiness, well-being, psychological distress and body shape in adolescents. Gac Sanit [online]. 2015, vol.29, n.6, pp.454-457. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2015.06.002.

Objective: To analyse the association between active commuting to secondary school and indicators of psychological health in a sample of 1012 adolescents. Method: Active commuting was assessed through a questionnaire, subjective happiness with the Subjective Happiness Scale, well-being and psychological distress with the General Well-Being Scale, and body shape was assessed using the short version of the Body Shape Questionnaire. Results: Adolescents who spent more than 15 minutes per day actively commuting to secondary school had higher levels of subjective happiness (p = 0.032) and psychological well-being (p = 0.021) and lower levels of psychological distress (p = 0.021) than adolescents who spent 15 minutes or less per day. There were no differences in body shape between less and more active adolescents (p >0.05). Conclusion: Active commuting to secondary school for more of 15 minutes per day is recommended because it is associated with higher levels of happiness and well-being in adolescents.

Keywords : Motor activity; Health; Psychology; Transportation; Adolescent.

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