With all the research on how exercise can boost mood and mental health, I wasn’t surprised when I also encountered the growing research on kiddos, too. In fact, an interesting study showed that people who walked 7,000 steps per day were 31% less likely to suffer from symptoms of depression. Even walking is good news for your overall wellness.
Adults aren’t the only ones getting mental health benefits from moving those muscles. In an interesting study, researchers investigated the link between body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness and their association with mental health in children. Let’s take a look at the research.
The study
In a cross-sectional study published in JAMA Network Open, the researchers evaluated differences in associations of adipose and lean tissues and cardiorespiratory fitness with anxiety and depression symptoms among children. The study authors pointed out the increasing prevalence of poor
The study methods
The study involved 207 preadolescent children aged 8 to 11 years with no prior mental health diagnosis. The study authors measured adiposity using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Adiposity is the excessive accumulation of body fat and an increased proportion of body weight made up of fat tissue.
The researchers also measured peak oxygen uptake (VO2 max) relative to body weight to determine cardiorespiratory fitness. The children self-reported trait anxiety and depression symptoms using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Children’s Depression Inventory.
The results
Here are the results:
- Adiposity (increased proportion of fat tissue on the body) was associated with higher anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Body fat percentage was only associated with greater anxiety.
- Higher levels of lean muscle mass and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The researchers concluded that fitness and lean mass might be protective factors, while adiposity might confer risk. They recommend incorporating fitness and body composition into routine pediatric assessments to help guide preventive care and early intervention for children.
The takeaway
These results indicate that excess body fat tissue could be linked to a higher risk of poorer mental health and symptoms of anxiety and depression in preadolescent children. In other words, kids with higher anxiety levels tended to have more body fat in this study. As anxiety went up, body fat and visceral fat also tended to go up, too.
A higher level of fitness can be protective for your kiddos’ mental health, so it’s worth encouraging them to be more active and get their growing muscles moving. They’ll be more likely to stick to exercises, sports, and activities they find enjoyable.
