According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, nearly 2.5 percent of children and 8 percent of adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Although depression is typically not diagnosed until the teen years, research published by the American Psychiatric Association in "Psychiatric Services" reports that preschool is the fastest growing market for antidepressants in the U.S. According to a Harvard Health Publications report, there is significant evidence that exercise is as effective as prescription antidepressant medication in the treatment of depression in both children and adults.
Childhood Depression
According to Dr. Eric Mash in "Abnormal Child Psychology," symptoms of depression can include restlessness, lack of concentration, irritability, increased or decreased sleepiness, weight gain or loss, a feeling of hopelessness and significant decrease or increase in appetite. In the U.S., depression is diagnosed in 2.5 percent of children under the age of 12 and 8 percent in the teen years. Some psychologists warn that depressed children are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADHD.
Exercise and Depression
Harvard Medical School reports that in the past 20 years an extensive body of research has supported the efficacy of exercise for both depression and anxiety disorders. Exercise boosts hormone and neurotransmitter production that counter the symptoms associated with depression. Researchers have found that regular exercise increases chemicals known as endorphins and the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which have anxiety-reducing effects on the body.
Effective Exercise
Most of the studies have shown that as little as 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, five days per week, or 60 minutes of exercise, three days a week, can significantly reduce the symptoms of depression. In addition, exercise was shown to lower subjects' blood pressure, boost self-esteem and reduce the chances of heart disease and cancer.
Exercise and Antidepressant
In their review of research on exercise and depression since 1981, Harvard Medical Publications points out that research has shown that daily exercise is as effective as SSRI antidepressant medication and can be considered by patients and health care providers to be an alternative treatment to psychopharmacology. As health care providers point out, exercise may be attractive to patients who experience side-effects to pharmacological treatment.
Exercising with Children
Children's health experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend children age 6 and older receive one hour per day of vigorous aerobic activity. Classic activities, including the jungle gym and playground equipment, can make exercise feel like play-time. For children who spend too much time in front of the TV, parents can create outdoor role-playing activities based on their child's favorite video game or TV program. Dancing, as well as video games that incorporate physical movement, are also beneficial exercises.
References
- Harvard Health Publications: Harvard Medical School: Exercise and Depression
- "Neurobiology of Aging"; Exercise training and depression in older adults;
- "Abnormal Child Psychology"; Eric Mash and David A Wolfe; 2008
- "Handbook of Depression in Children and Adolescents"; John R. Z. Abela PhD, et al.; 2007
- "Psychiatric Services"; Trends in the Use of Antidepressants in a National Sample of Commercially Insured Pediatric Patients, 1998 to 2002; Thomas Delate, et al.; Aoril, 2004
- "Neurobiology of Aging"; Exercise training and depression in older adults; K. Barbour, et al.; 2005 Dec, 26
