Effects of Diet and Exercise on the Mental Health of Adolescents in California

1. Effects of Diet and Exercise on the Mental Health of Adolescents in California Katherine Williamson Padilla 12/16/2010 Bay Bridge Training Center

2. Agenda • Background • Data Sources & Collection Method • Univariate 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.

3. Background Adolescence is key! Causes of Mental Illness Research on Adults..but what about kids? Why is this important? Clayton SL, Brindis, CD, Hamor JA, Raiden-Wright H, Fong, C. (2000). Investing in Adolescent Health: A Social Imperative for California’s Future. San Francisco, CA: University of California, San Francisco. National Adolescent Health Information Center.

4. Data

5. 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 Adolescent N = 3,638 adolescents

6. 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

7. 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

8. Univariate Analysis Are good eating habits normally distributed? (No!) 1 = Yes 2 = No 21.8% = Yes 78.2= No Skewness = -.1.369

9. Univariate (1) Analysis Are good exercise habits normally distributed? (Somewhat)

10. 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 = .015 There is a correlation, but its weak …..

11. 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 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

12. 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?

13. Qualitative Analysis (3) Question 1: How do life style choices like eating and exercise habits influence the mental health of teens?

14. 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

15. Conclusion There is a link…but its weak Qualitative Data Confirms SES is more predictive Why? What can I take away from this?

16. Thanks!