A1 Journal article (refereed)
Early morning physical activity is associated with healthier white matter microstructure and happier children : the ActiveBrains project (2024)

Esteban-Cornejo, I., Lara-Jimenez, I., Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Verdejo-Roman, J., Catena, A., Erickson, K. I., & Ortega, F. B. (2024). Early morning physical activity is associated with healthier white matter microstructure and happier children : the ActiveBrains project. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(3), 833-845. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02197-6

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Esteban-Cornejo, Irene; Lara-Jimenez, Inmaculada; Rodriguez-Ayllon, Maria; Verdejo-Roman, Juan; Catena, Andres; Erickson, Kirk I.; Ortega, Francisco B.

Journal or series: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

ISSN: 1018-8827

eISSN: 1435-165X

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 14/04/2023

Volume: 33

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 833-845

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: Germany

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02197-6

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89749

Abstract

The background of this study is to examine the associations of individual and combined early morning patterns (i.e., active commuting to school, physical activity before school, having breakfast and good sleep) with white matter microstructure (WMM) and, whether the associated white mater microstructure outcomes were related to mental health outcomes in children with overweight or obesity. 103 children with overweight or obesity (10.0 ± 1.1 years old, 42 girls) from the ActiveBrains project participated in this cross-sectional study. Early morning patterns and mental health indicators (i.e., self-esteem, optimism, positive and negative affect, stress, depression and anxiety) were self-reported by the children using validated questionnaires. WMM was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging using diffusion tensor imaging. When examined independently, early morning patterns were not related with WMM (all P > 0.05). However, the combination of early morning patterns was related with WMM (P < 0.05). Specifically, physically active early morning patterns (i.e., active commuting to school and physical activity before school) were associated with global fractional anisotropy (FA) (β = 0.298, P = 0.013) and global radial diffusivity (RD) (β = − 0.272, P = 0.021), as well as with tract-specific FA (β = 0.314, P = 0.004) and RD (β = − 0.234, P = 0.032) in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). Furthermore, combined physically active early morning pattern-associated global (i.e., FA and RD) and tract-specific (i.e., FA and RD in the SLF) WMM indicators were positively associated with happiness (β absolute value range from 0.252 to 0.298, all P < 0.05). A combination of physically active early morning patterns may positively relate to white matter microstructure in children with overweight or obesity, and, in turn, happiness.

Keywords: physical activity; obesity; children (age groups); mental health; well-being; brain; white matter; diets; sleep

Free keywords: neurodevelopment; psychological health; white matter integrity; physical activity; diet; sleep; childhood; obesity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 2