Introduction

As a parent, it's important to encourage your children to lead active and healthy lifestyles. And as it turns out, there's more to it than just physical health benefits - being physically active can also have a positive impact on your child's mental health. A 2017 study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics looked at the relationship between physical activity and depression in children, and the findings are very interesting. Here's what you need to know.

How the Study Was Conducted

The study followed 1,046 children aged 6-7 years old over the course of two years. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about their child's physical activity levels, and the children were also assessed for symptoms of depression at the beginning of the study and again at the end. The researchers controlled for other factors that could influence depression, such as socioeconomic status and BMI.

The Results of the Study

The findings showed that children who were more physically active had a lower risk of developing depression over the course of the two years. Even when taking into account other factors, there was still a significant association between physical activity and a lower risk of depression. The researchers believe that this association is likely due to the fact that physical activity has a positive effect on brain function.

What This Means for Parents

This study provides more evidence of the importance of physical activity for children - not just for physical health, but for mental health as well. If you're looking for ways to get your child moving, there are plenty of options out there. From playing tag to joining a sports team to simply going for regular walks or bike rides together, there are many ways to make being active fun for kids. And as an added bonus, you'll likely see some benefits for your own mental health as well!

Conclusion

This study provides more evidence of the importance of physical activity for children - not just for physical health, but for mental health as well. If you're looking for ways to get your child moving, there are plenty of options out there. From playing tag to joining a sports team to simply going for regular walks or bike rides together, there are many ways to make being active fun for kids. And as an added bonus, you'll likely see some benefits for your own mental health as well!

Source

"Physical Activity and Depression in Children." JAMA Pediatrics, vol. 171, no. 1, Jan. 2017, p. e16-e24.