Physical activity in adolescents who later developed schizophrenia: A prospective case-control study from the Young-HUNT

Abstract

Background: Adults suffering from schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders report low levels of physical activity. In addition, these patients have an increased risk of overweight and poor nutritional habits. Less is known about patterns and levels of physical activity before the onset of disease. Aims: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether there were specific patterns of physical activity in the premorbid phase of schizophrenia and whether these participants differed from those with bipolar disorder (BD). A group of healthy controls (HC) was also included. Methods: The study was a prospective, longitudinal, comparative cohort design in which 15 adolescents who later developed schizophrenia and 18 with later BD were compared with HC. Data were analysed using non-parametric statistical tests. Results: Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were less physically active with fewer days per week (p < 0.05) and fewer hours per week (p < 0.05) in the premorbid phase than both BD and HC. They also participated less in team sports than HC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that individuals who develop schizophrenia in their teens may be at risk of establishing a lifestyle harmful to health. From a preventive perspective it is important to gain more knowledge about the connections between health habits and later development of disease.

• Adolescent
• Bipolar disorder
• Physical activity
• Premorbid
• Schizophrenia

Declaration of interest: The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT Study) is a collaboration between HUNT Research Centre (Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU), Nord-Trøndelag County Council, Central Norway Health Authority, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The project has received financial support from North-Trøndelag University College (HiNT). Arne Okkenhaug has participated in a Nurse advisory board for Eli Lilly and in this connection has been lecturer for them and received honoraria. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.