Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40402982›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

To what extent does self-reported physical activity impact children's wellbeing and mental health? Insights from school-aged children in Wales.

Michaela James, Mary Adebayo, Mayara Silveira Bianchim, Levi Hughes, Marianne Mannello, Emily Marchant, Sinead Brophy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Michaela JamesCentre for Population Health, Population Data Science, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-7047-0049
Mary AdebayoCentre for Population Health, Population Data Science, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.
Mayara Silveira BianchimCentre for Population Health, Population Data Science, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.
Levi HughesCentre for Population Health, Population Data Science, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.
Marianne MannelloPlay Wales, Park Houses, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
Emily MarchantSchool of Education, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.
Sinead BrophyCentre for Population Health, Population Data Science, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

There has been emphasis on the wellbeing of school-aged children amongst research, policy and practice in recent years, particularly during key developmental stages such as early childhood and adolescence. This study aimed to identify specific factors of self-reported physical activity that are associated with wellbeing and mental health among school-aged children in Wales. Using data from the Health and Attainment of Pupils in Primary Education in Wales (HAPPEN-Wales) cohort, this study analysed survey responses from 16,731 children aged 7-11 collected between 2016 and 2022. The HAPPEN survey includes self-reported measures of physical activity, physical literacy, sedentary behaviour, wellbeing, mental health, and local community environment. Wellbeing and mental health were assessed using the Good Childhood Index and the Me and My Feelings Questionnaire. Physical literacy was captured through questions on motivation, confidence, competence, and understanding of physical activity benefits. Additional data on environmental factors and socioeconomic status were also considered. Multiple regression and decision tree analyses were used to examine factors associated with overall wellbeing. Key factors associated with good wellbeing included being more physically active (Coef.:0.17 [95%CI: 0.05 to 0.29]), being less sedentary (Coef.: -0.16 [95%CI: -0.28 to -0.05]), feeling confident to take part in lots of physical activity (Coef.: 0.35 [95%CI: 0.16 to 0.55]), feeling good at lots of physical activity (Coef.: 0.30 [95%CI:0.14 to 0.46], having less knowledge around understanding (Coef.: -0.29 [95%CI: -0.57 to -0.07]), feeling safe (Coef.: 0.77 [95%CI: 0.66 to 0.89]), autonomous (Coef.: 0.57 [95%CI: 0.40 to 0.73]) and competent (Coef.: 0.51 [95%CI: 0.35 to 0.67]). The findings highlight the importance of providing opportunities for children to develop their confidence, competency and to feel like they have a choice in their lives. This may be done by providing safe, engaging, and varied physical activity opportunities in schools and communities to support children's overall wellbeing.

Indexed as

ExerciseMental HealthChildFemaleHumansMaleSchoolsSedentary BehaviorSelf ReportSurveys and QuestionnairesWales

Identifiers

PMID40402982
PMCPMC12097639

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.