BEING A COUCH POTATO PUTS ADOLESCENTS AT RISK FOR MENTAL ILLNESS

In the March 10, 2020 edition of the Asheville Citizen Times, An Associated Press aricle quoted Aaron Kandola, a Ph.D. student at University College London's findings that adolescents who are inactive for a large portion of their days during adolecence are at increased risk for depression by age 18. There was a correlation of the amount of activity for more than 4200 adolesents as measured for 10 hours for at least 3 days when they were 12, 14, and 16 years of age. For instance, an additional 60 minutes of inactivity each day at ages 12, 14,and 16 led to an increase in depression scores of 11%, 8% and 10.5% respectively by age 18. In addition, those with high levels of inactivity at these ages had 28% higher depression scores at age 18. Unfortunately, it seems that adolescents are becoming less active. This study does not prove a causal connection of inactivity and risk for depression but the correlation is strong. The study was published in the February 11, 2020 Lancet Psychiatry Journal.

The good news is that even light physical activity seems to protect from depression. So, small changes in adolescents environments with opportunities for movement, can make a difference. Let's get moving!