Much research links exercise to an improved mood and mental state, and with a lower risk of depression and anxiety. As a matter of fact, the Surgeon General recommends exercise for adults as a means of improving mental health, self-esteem and negative psychological symptoms. New research published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology shows that this phenomenon also applies to youth.
For this study, researchers evaluated a group of 207 children ages 7 to 11. Before the study, all subjects had been sedentary. Children were either assigned to a control group that got no exercise or to an exercise group that got 20-40 minutes of aerobic exercise per day for 12 weeks. The mental health of all subjects was measured using standardized scales and surveys. Results clearly showed that exercise positively impacted the childrens self-worth and decreased depressive symptoms.
Petty KH, et al. (2009). Exercise effects on depressive symptoms and self-worth in overweight children: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, epub.
