To Your Health
July, 2023 (Vol. 17, Issue 07) |
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Pre-Teen Fitness Matters
In an age of increasing reliance on, well, inactivity – at least physically, it's critical to find ways to get kids off their electronics and on to more active pursuits. The reason doesn't just have to do with weight or the health risks that accompany sedentary behavior; in this case, we're referring to the risks of mental health issues associated with lack of fitness, particularly at this age. Let's see what new research findings suggest about pre-teen fitness and mental health.
Researchers evaluated physical activity levels in nearly 5,000 11-year-olds using "accelerometers" (which as the name suggests, measure acceleration; as an example, most fitness watches contain accelerometers) that recorded moderate physical activity (ex: brisk walking or cycling) and vigorous activity (ex: dancing, jogging, swimming); and then correlated it with mental health between the ages of 11 and 13. Behavioral and mental health problems were assessed in the study by parents, teachers and pre-teens themselves, providing a well-rounded portrait of the adolescents' mental health.
Pre-teens who performed higher levels of moderate or vigorous activity had lower risks of experiencing emotional difficulties, depressive symptoms and behavioral issues, even after accounting for other possible factors that could contribute to the reduced risk. At age 11, when the researchers tracked physical activity, boys averaged 29 minutes of daily activity (moderate-to-vigorous), compared with only 18 minutes per day by girls, suggesting physical activity may be an important modifier of mental health in both groups, but especially girls (who experience higher rates of depressive symptoms to begin with). Findings appear in the research journal Mental Health and Physical Activity.
How much physical activity do your children get on a daily basis? If the answer is, "Not nearly enough," it's time to get them out of their rooms, off their smartphones and doing something active. If you can't convince them to do it themselves, why not join them? You'll be setting a good example, spending more time with your kids – and helping all of you get fit and healthy. It's a win-win for your collective physical and mental health!
