Examining the (lack of) evidence on physical activity for paternal postnatal depression : A call to action

Journal article

Apostolopoulos, Maria, Hesketh, Kylie D., Walsh, Adam, Karimi, Nazgol and Teychenne, Megan. (2024). Examining the (lack of) evidence on physical activity for paternal postnatal depression : A call to action. Mental Health and Physical Activity. 27, pp. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100616
AuthorsApostolopoulos, Maria, Hesketh, Kylie D., Walsh, Adam, Karimi, Nazgol and Teychenne, Megan
Abstract

Background and aims: Previous research has linked physical activity to a reduced risk of postnatal depressive symptoms in mothers. Despite up to 13% of fathers experiencing postnatal depressive symptoms, little is known about the association with physical activity in fathers. This study aimed to systematically examine the evidence investigating the association between physical activity and paternal postnatal depressive symptoms, and provide suggestions to support advancing the field.

Methods: A systematic search of original research articles investigating the association between physical activity and paternal postnatal depressive symptoms was conducted using six electronic databases in October 2021 and updated in June 2023.

Results: A total of two intervention studies (both randomized controlled trials) were identified. Neither study focused specifically on physical activity but both found that lifestyle-based training had a positive effect on antenatal and postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms in fathers.

Conclusion: Research investigating the association between physical activity and paternal postnatal depressive symptoms is scarce. Fathers are a target group who are likely to benefit from alternative/adjunct mental health strategies such as physical activity, therefore future research investigating physical activity and its association with paternal postnatal depressive symptoms is urgently needed.

KeywordsPaternal postnatal depression; Mental health ; Fathers ; Physical activity ; Exercise
Year01 Jan 2024
JournalMental Health and Physical Activity
Journal citation27, pp. 1-4
PublisherElsevier Science BV
ISSN1755-2966
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100616
Web address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296624000425?via%3Dihub
Open accessOpen access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1-4
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Print01 Jul 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted28 Jun 2024
Deposited23 Oct 2024
Additional information

© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/91075/examining-the-lack-of-evidence-on-physical-activity-for-paternal-postnatal-depression-a-call-to-action

Log in to edit

Download files

Publisher's version
OA_Walsh_2024_Examining_the_lack_of_evidence_on.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Open

  • 8
    total views
  • 3
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Impact and process evaluation of a primary-school Food Education and Sustainability Training (FEAST) program in 10-12-year-old children in Australia : pragmatic cluster non-randomized controlled trial
Karpouzis, Fay, Lindberg, Rebecca, Walsh, Adam, Shah, Smita, Abbott, Gavin and Ball, Kylie. (2024). Impact and process evaluation of a primary-school Food Education and Sustainability Training (FEAST) program in 10-12-year-old children in Australia : pragmatic cluster non-randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 24(1), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18079-8
Primary-school-aged children inspire their peers and families to eat more vegetables in the KiiDSAY project: a qualitative descriptive study
Karpouzis, Fay, Walsh, Adam, Shah, Smita, Ball, Kylie and Lindberg, Rebecca. (2024). Primary-school-aged children inspire their peers and families to eat more vegetables in the KiiDSAY project: a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Pediatrics. 24(1), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-04643-z
Evaluating OzHarvest’s primary-school Food Education and Sustainability Training (FEAST) program in 10–12-year-old children in Australia : Protocol for a pragmatic cluster non-randomized controlled trial
Karpouzis, F., Lindberg, R., Walsh, A., Shah, S., Abbott, G., Lai, J., Berner, A. and Ball, K.. (2021). Evaluating OzHarvest’s primary-school Food Education and Sustainability Training (FEAST) program in 10–12-year-old children in Australia : Protocol for a pragmatic cluster non-randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 21(1), p. Article 967. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10302-0
Paternal self-efficacy for promoting children's obesity protective diets and associations with children's dietary intakes
Walsh, Adam D., Hesketh, Kylie D., Hnatiuk, Jill A. and Campbell, Karen J.. (2019). Paternal self-efficacy for promoting children's obesity protective diets and associations with children's dietary intakes. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 16(1), p. Article 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0814-5
Differences between mothers and fathers of young children in their Use of the internet to support healthy family lifestyle behaviors : Cross-sectional study
Laws, Rachel, Walsh, Adam D., Hesketh, Kylie D., Downing, Katherine L., Kuswara, Konsita and Campbell, Karen J.. (2019). Differences between mothers and fathers of young children in their Use of the internet to support healthy family lifestyle behaviors : Cross-sectional study. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 21(1), p. Article e11454. https://doi.org/10.2196/11454
The influence of the maternal peer group (partner, friends, mothers' group, family) on mothers' attitudes to obesity-related behaviours of their children
Cameron, Adrian J., Charlton, Emma, Walsh, Adam, Hesketh, Kylie and Campbell, Karen. (2019). The influence of the maternal peer group (partner, friends, mothers' group, family) on mothers' attitudes to obesity-related behaviours of their children. BMC Pediatrics. 19(1), p. Article 357. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1726-x
Associations between the physical activity levels of fathers and their children at 20 months, 3.5 and five years of age
Walsh, Adam D., Crawford, David, Cameron, Adrian J., Campbell, Karen J. and Hesketh, Kylie D.. (2017). Associations between the physical activity levels of fathers and their children at 20 months, 3.5 and five years of age. BMC Public Health. 17(1), p. Article 628. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4545-8
Fathers' perspectives on the diets and physical activity behaviours of their young children
Walsh, Adam D., Hesketh, Kylie D., van der Pligt, Paige, Cameron, Adrian J., Crawford, David and Campbell, Karen J.. (2017). Fathers' perspectives on the diets and physical activity behaviours of their young children. PLoS ONE. 12(6), p. Article e0179210. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179210
Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years
Walsh, Adam D., Cameron, Adrian J., Crawford, David, Hesketh, Kylie D. and Campbell, Karen J.. (2016). Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years. Public Health Nutrition. 19(11), pp. 2033-2039. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001600077X
Associations between dietary intakes of first-time fathers and their 20-month-old children are moderated by fathers' BMI, education and age
Walsh, Adam, Cameron, Adrian, Hesketh, Kylie, Crawford, David and Campbell, Karen. (2015). Associations between dietary intakes of first-time fathers and their 20-month-old children are moderated by fathers' BMI, education and age. British Journal of Nutrition. 114(6), pp. 988-994. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515002755
The effect of an early childhood obesity intervention on father's obesity risk behaviors : The Melbourne InFANT Program
Walsh, Adam, Lioret, Sandrine, Cameron, Adrian, Hesketh, Kylie, McNaughton, Sarah, Crawford, David and Campbell, Karen. (2014). The effect of an early childhood obesity intervention on father's obesity risk behaviors : The Melbourne InFANT Program. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 11(1), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-11-18