boosting happiness for the young
Ages for children range from 1 - 12 years old while adolescents refer to those between 13 - 17 years old. Depression among children and adolescents can lead to significant difficulties in social interactions (including relationships with peers and family members), as well as a decline in cognitive development and academic performance.
According to the latest epidemiological findings, it is estimated that around 20% of children and adolescents worldwide are affected by mental health disorders, with depression being the most commonly diagnosed condition (Brown et al, 2013).
background
how does physical activity improve depression in children and adolescents?
Younger individuals who engaged in physical activity were found to have lower chances of experiencing depressive symptoms, while adolescents who spent less time using screens were also less likely to report such symptoms.
Additionally, teenagers who participated in higher levels of physical activity within the school setting, including extracurricular activities, sports, and active participation in physical education classes, reported lower rates of depressive symptoms (Kremer et al., 2013).
