Physical fitness can help prevent young adolescents' depression

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-08/apa-pfc080414.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 7-Aug-2014

Contact: Audrey Hamilton
American Psychological Association
Physical fitness can help prevent young adolescents' depression, study finds
Especially for middle-school girls, being less fit had link to depression

WASHINGTON – Physically fit sixth-graders – especially girls – are less likely to report feeling depressed when they reach seventh grade, according to a study presented at the American Psychological Association's 122nd Annual Convention.

Even when researchers considered existing symptoms of depression and weight, sixth-grade girls who performed better on a cardiorespiratory fitness test were less likely to feel depressed when they were surveyed again in seventh grade. There was a smaller but similar effect on boys' depression, according to the findings presented by Camilo Ruggero, PhD, of the University of North Texas.

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