Physical fitness among children and adolescents has been found to play a crucial role in protecting against the development of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics.
The study, conducted by researchers in Taiwan, analyzed data from two large datasets to examine the relationship between physical fitness and mental health. The researchers found that better performance in cardiovascular activities, strength, and muscular endurance was associated with a lower risk of mental health disorders. This “dose-dependent” linkage suggests that the fitter a child or adolescent is, the less likely they are to experience the onset of a mental health disorder.
With the rise in mental health diagnoses among children and adolescents in the United States and abroad, understanding the role of physical fitness in mental health has become increasingly important. The study’s findings highlight the potential of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness as protective factors against mental health disorders in young people.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called mental health the defining public health crisis of our time, emphasizing the need for targeted physical fitness programs as primary preventative interventions against mental disorders in children and adolescents. The study underscores the importance of promoting physical activity and fitness in youth to support their overall mental well-being.