All children experience some anxiety as a normal part of their development. A slightly heightened reaction to stress would be considered a healthy form of anxiety. However, anxiety that interferes with a child's ability to handle everyday situations is considered an anxiety disorder. Regardless of its form, anxiety is often troublesome for the child and her parents alike.
The Issue
According to Dr. Harold Koplewicz, president of The Child Study Center Foundation and a contributor to "The Huffington Post," approximately 13 percent of American children and adolescents suffer from an anxiety disorder in a given year. Koplewicz states that the disorder can become so debilitating that the child is unable to leave home or attend school. The most conventional treatments are talk therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. However, in the case of normal anxiety, treatments are often not offered.
Exercise Effects
Research looking at reducing anxiety through exercise with adult populations has shown success. However, information is scarce on the effects of exercise in childhood anxiety. A comprehensive review of the existing research published in 2009 by the Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care at the University of Bergen concluded that while there seems to be a slight effect of exercise in reducing anxiety compared to no treatment at all, the trivial amount of research to date leaves the effects unknown.
Caveat
Often children become anxious or develop an anxiety disorder, such as social phobia, due to their feelings about themselves. This is particularly true for overweight children. Dr. Robert M. Malina, who formerly worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stated in a 2008 article in "The New York Times" that some research has demonstrated that exercise may increase both self-esteem and academic performance; yet, again evidence is insufficient. If future studies do confirm this data, then a case could be made for the increase in self-esteem serving as a catalyst in reducing some forms of anxiety.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there is still a lack of information on the effects of exercise on anxiety. Consequently, no specific recommendations have been made for exercise in the case of childhood anxiety. In 2004 the CDC gave the recommendation for 60 minutes of daily exercise for children. However, Malina reports that the recommendation was just a "gut reaction" to the meager information that exists.
Precautions
Visit the CDC website for detailed information and guidelines regarding their physical fitness recommendations for children. And before starting any exercise program, get clearance from a pediatrician or family doctor.
References
- The Huffington Post: Normal Anxiety, a Disorder, or Both?
- Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care at the University of Bergen: Exercise in prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression among children and young people
- The New York Times: How Much Exercise Do Children Need?
- CDC: How much physical activity do children need?
