NZ Herald:
Physical activity in teenagers significantly reduces the likelihood of depression, a study has found.
The study, carried out at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, involved examining the physical activity of almost 3500 14-year-olds and then assessing their mental health when they were 21.
Study leader Dr Shuichi Suetani said the results of the research were consistent with previous research which indicated a lack of physical activity was related to a risk of depression later in life.
“We found a link between the group of 14-year-olds who had no engagement in physical activity and an increased likelihood of diagnosis with a mood disorder like depression, but not with anxiety disorders or substance use disorders at the age of 21,” he said.