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Low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour are associated with adolescents’ suicidal vulnerability: Evidence from 52 low‐ and middle‐income countries
Author(s) -
Uddin Riaz,
Burton Nicola W.,
Maple Myfanwy,
Khan Shanchita R.,
Tremblay Mark S.,
Khan Asaduzzaman
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15079
Subject(s) - suicidal ideation , medicine , vulnerability (computing) , odds , suicide prevention , poison control , injury prevention , odds ratio , demography , psychiatry , clinical psychology , logistic regression , environmental health , computer security , sociology , computer science , pathology
Aim To examine the relationships of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with suicidal thoughts and behaviour among adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Methods Global School‐based Student Health Survey data from 206 357 students (14.6 ± 1.18 years; 51% female) in 52 LMICs were used. Students reported on suicidal ideation, suicide planning, suicide attempts, PA, leisure‐time SB and socio‐demographic characteristics. Multilevel mixed‐effects generalised linear modelling was used to examine the associations. Results High leisure‐time SB (≥3 hours/day) was independently associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation, suicide planning and suicide attempts for both male and female adolescents. Insufficient PA (<60 mins/day) was not associated with higher odds of ideation for either sex; however, it was associated with planning and attempts for male adolescents. The combination of insufficient PA and high SB, compared with sufficient PA and low SB, was associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation and suicide planning for both male and female adolescents, and suicide attempts for male adolescents. Conclusion High SB may be an indicator of suicidal vulnerability among adolescents in LMICs. Low PA may be a more important risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours among male, than female, adolescents. Promoting active lifestyle should be integrated into suicide prevention programmes in resource‐poor settings.

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