Development of Physical Activity from Childhood to Adolescence in Offspring at Familial High Risk of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder and Population-Based Controls - the Danish High Risk and Resilience Study
Randomized trial examines physical activity outcomes in children at familial high risk for mental disorders, indicating these children are less active than controls.
Key Points
The aim is to understand the trajectories of physical activity in children at familial high risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Longitudinal cohort study involving 367 children at age 11 and 258 at age 15
Used accelerometry to measure physical activity levels
Analyzed associations with body mass index and motor functioning
At age 15, adolescents at familial high risk showed fewer daily steps and less continuous walking than controls (Cohen’s d = 0.38 and 0.43)
From ages 11 to 15, step counts declined across groups, with modest increases in moderate-to-high physical activity for high-risk groups but not controls
Higher physical activity at age 11 correlated with higher activity at age 15, and increased activity linked to better functioning in adolescents and caregivers.