Step Count Linked to Mental Wellness in Teens
A new study suggests that adding walking into a teenager’s daily routine could be associated with better mental health and brain development. Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Massachusetts Amherst studied more than 5,500 adolescents, using Fitbit devices to measure their daily activity levels. When researchers assessed their mental health, they found that teens who walked more reported fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. Those averaging fewer than 5,000 steps a day experienced the most symptoms, while those reaching 12,000 or more had the fewest. Brain scans also revealed that more active teens had thicker tissue in regions associated with emotional regulation. The findings suggest that small, achievable increases in everyday movement, such as walking to school, playing outside, or playing sports, can support young people's mental wellbeing.
Image via SciTech Daily
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