There’s new evidence for exercise’s preventative role in teen mental health. Researchers surveyed 457 sixth- graders for depressive symptoms, BMI and tested their fitness. They found that girls who were in better shape were less likely to be depressed in grade seven. The effect was observed in boys but was not statistically significant.
Positive Tip: Exercise had a real but modest effect on depression, so it should be used in conjunction with one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy or group therapy to address depressive symptoms.