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Health Education Research Advance Access published online on September 17, 2009
Health Education Research, doi:10.1093/her/cyp048
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Physical activity, emotional and behavioural problems, maternal education and self-reported educational performance of adolescents

M. T. Kantomaa1,*, T. H. Tammelin2,3, P. Demakakos4, H. E. Ebeling5 and A. M. Taanila1,6

1 Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health Science and General Practice, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
2 Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 90220 Oulu, Finland
3 LIKES - Research Center for Sport and Health Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland
4 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK
5 Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland
6 Unit of General Practice, University Hospital of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland

Correspondence to: * Correspondence to: M. T. Kantomaa. E-mail: marko.kantomaa{at}oulu.fi

This study examined whether physical activity, mental health and socio-economic position were associated with the overall academic performance and future educational plans of adolescents aged 15–16 years. We used a sample of 7002 boys and girls from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. Data were collected by a postal enquiry in 2001–02. Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated and adjusted for family structure and all variables in the models. In the fully adjusted models, higher levels of physical activity and high parental socio-economic position were associated with higher overall academic performance and future plans for higher education. High scoring on behavioural problems was related to lower overall academic performance and poorer future academic plans. In summary, a higher level of physical activity, fewer behavioural problems and higher socio-economic position were independently associated with high self-perceived overall academic performance and plans for higher education among adolescents. The interrelations of these factors and the positive relationship between physical activity, mental health and school outcomes provide a context of critical importance for future research, intervention programming and policy directed at improving the educational attainment of adolescents.

Received on March 20, 2009; accepted on August 12, 2009


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