BOSTON, MA – A new study by Northeastern University researchers has revealed a significant association between higher aerobic fitness, lower body fat, and a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression in children. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, underscore the critical role physical health plays in the mental well-being of preadolescents.
The research highlights that greater lean muscle mass and improved cardiorespiratory fitness are protective factors against negative mental health outcomes, while higher levels of visceral fat are linked to increased anxiety and depression symptoms in children aged 8 to 11.
Understanding the Study’s Core Findings
Led by Lauren Raine, an assistant professor of physical therapy, movement and rehabilitation sciences, and medical sciences at Northeastern University, the study examined over 200 healthy children in the Greater Boston area between 2019 and 2023. This cross-sectional analysis aimed to investigate the understudied connection between body composition, physical fitness, and mental health in this specific age group, where rates of both obesity and mental health disorders have been on the rise.
The Role of Body Composition and Fitness
Researchers utilized dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to precisely measure the children’s body composition, focusing on overall body fat percentage (BF%), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and lean mass. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by measuring peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Children also provided self-reported data on anxiety and depressive symptoms using standardized questionnaires, ensuring honest responses.
The study’s results showed distinct associations:
- Lean Mass and Fitness: Children with greater lean mass and higher levels of aerobic fitness reported fewer symptoms of both anxiety and depression. This suggests that strong muscles and a healthy heart and lung system may act as a buffer against emotional distress.
- Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT): Higher levels of visceral fat, the fat stored deep within the abdominal cavity, were consistently linked to increased symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Visceral fat is known to contribute to systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, factors that can negatively impact brain health and emotional regulation.
- Overall Body Fat Percentage (BF%): Interestingly, overall body fat percentage was primarily associated with higher anxiety symptoms, but not directly with depression. This nuanced finding suggests that the type and location of fat might be as important as the total amount when considering mental health outcomes.
Implications for Child Well-being and Future Interventions
Lauren Raine emphasized the significance of these findings, stating that “aerobic fitness and lean mass were both protective against negative mental health outcomes.” The study underscores the urgency of addressing physical health markers early in a child’s development to support their overall well-being.
The growing prevalence of poor fitness, obesity, anxiety, and depression among children in the United States makes this research particularly relevant. Previous studies have indicated that excess adiposity can be a risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes in adolescents, and this new research extends that understanding to preadolescent children. Similarly, while the mental health implications of lean mass have been understudied in children, this research aligns with some findings in older adults that link lower lean mass with greater depression severity.
By highlighting the intricate connection between physical health parameters like body composition and fitness with mental health, the Northeastern study provides valuable insights for targeted interventions. Early identification of these physical health markers could pave the way for preventative strategies and support systems designed to foster healthier developmental trajectories for children, potentially reducing the burden of anxiety and depression in later life.
