12,000 Steps a Day, and Teens Feel Better

Here is some good news.

Researchers followed more than 5,500 kids, average age 12, with Fitbits, brain scans, and mental health check-ins. After 1 year, the teens taking 12,000 or more steps a day had fewer mental health symptoms than the ones taking fewer than 5,000.

It went beyond mood. More steps lined up with greater thickness in 2 brain regions tied to movement, attention, and decision-making. The researchers think walking may release dopamine and serotonin while lowering cortisol and inflammation, which may help ease anxiety and depression.

Dr. Claudine Higdon, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Northwell Health who reviewed the results, put it simply: "Kids: Movement is so key. Just any little bit of walking can make a big difference."

I love this one because the prescription costs nothing. No prior authorization. No copay. No waiting list. Just a pair of shoes and a reason to get outside.

It is also exactly the kind of conversation a real primary care visit should have room for. When you have time with your doctor, you can talk about what keeps kids well, not just what gets billed. Sleep. Screens. Walking the dog after dinner.

Parents, take the walk with them.

The study was published October 1 in JAMA Network Open, led by Divyangana Rakesh at King's College London.

Source: www.healthday.com/health-news/mental-health/do-more-steps-mean-better-mental-health-for-teens