Influence of active commuting on happiness, well-being, psychological distress and body shape in adolescents

Abstract

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.