Physical Activity in Preteens Reduces Risk of Depression and Anxiety
By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology, Freelance Health Writer, Reviewed by the DLHA Editorial Team
African preteens playing football together outdoors. Image credit: Freepik.
“Young children don't need fancy gyms or expensive kits to get active…Let children move, play and engage in sport not just for the sake of their bodies but for the health of their minds.”
As parents, guardians, teachers and community members, many of us are doing our best to raise children who are not only physically healthy but also mentally strong. Yet, we often overlook a key ingredient that supports both and that is physical activity.
A recent study from Sweden has shown that physical activity improves mental health in children, especially through organised sports, and doesn't just build stronger bodies but also protects children from mental health problems during adolescence. In a time when many children spend more hours indoors, on their phones or behind screens, physical activity is slowly being pushed aside.
The study offers clear evidence that increasing physical activity can help protect mental health in children.
This is a timely reminder for Africans in sub-Saharan Africa - a region where mental health challenges among children and teenagers are rising but are still poorly recognised and even more so poorly addressed.
The research followed 16,365 Swedish children from birth to 18 years. The researchers wanted to find out if there was a link between how physically active these children were in their early years and whether they would go on to develop mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, eating disorders or substance abuse problems.
To measure activity, they collected information from parents when the children were aged 5, 8 and 11. This included how many hours per day they were active, how often they spent time outdoors and whether the children participated in organised sports like football, athletics or swimming. Later on, they checked Sweden’s national health records to see if any of the children had been diagnosed with mental health conditions by age 18.
About 15 percent of the children (that’s 1 in every 7) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric condition by the end of the study. More worrying is that around 4 percent had three or more different mental health diagnoses. These numbers show that mental health issues during adolescence are more common than many of us realise, even in countries with strong healthcare systems.
One notable discovery was how much physical activity declined as children got older. At age 5, children were active for about 4.2 hours per day. But by the time they were 11 that had dropped to just 2.5 hours. This drop came just before the critical window of adolescence which is a period when mental health struggles often begin to emerge.
The good news, however, is that being active at age 11 had a clear protective effect making it a potential “best age to start sports” for mental health gains. For every extra hour of physical activity per day at that age, there was a 12 percent lower risk of developing any mental health issue by the time the child turned 18 thereby proving the connection between exercise and mental health. In other words, just one additional hour of daily movement could make a meaningful difference in long-term mental well-being.
The benefits were even more noticeable among boys who were more physically active at age 11. They had
Girls also gained mental health benefits from physical activity, though not as strongly. For girls, being active at age 11 was linked to an 18 percent lower risk of depression but the study didn’t find strong evidence that it reduced the risk of anxiety or addiction-related conditions.
Organised sports appeared to offer both physical and social benefits because 11-year old children who participated showed better mental health outcomes than their counterparts who didn't.
However, the study found that simply spending more time outdoors, without structured play or sport did not have a strong effect on the kids.
Although the study was carried out in Sweden, the message is highly relevant to African families and schools. Mental health issues among children and teenagers are growing but often go unnoticed or are misunderstood in many African societies.
Many African schools now focus heavily on academics and exam performance, often reducing or eliminating sports and recreational time. At home, safety concerns, lack of space or access to green areas and the rise of digital entertainment are making physical inactivity the norm for many children.
This study should challenge us to rethink our priorities. Exercise for kids is not a luxury or a distraction from academic work, it’s a vital part of healthy childhood development. It helps children manage stress, build self-esteem and reduce the risk of emotional difficulties later in life.
For girls in particular, cultural expectations may discourage them from participating in sports yet this research shows that they, too, stand to gain emotionally and mentally from structured activity. Supporting girls in sports, especially as they approach adolescence, could be a powerful way to reduce child depression and encourage greater self-confidence.
The good news is that solutions don’t have to be expensive or complicated. As a parent, you can lead by example by taking walks with your children, limiting screen time and creating a home environment where movement is valued.
For schools, the following tips may be helpful:
We must also resist the pressure to sideline play and activity during exam years. The ages of 10 to 12 were shown to be especially important in this study and mental health is just as important as good grades.
This Swedish study offers clear, research-based evidence that physical activity, especially organised sport can reduce the risk of mental health problems in teenagers. While it cannot prevent every challenge, it is a practical and powerful tool that can help children grow into stronger, more resilient adults.
If we truly want the next generation to succeed, we must create environments where children can move freely, play regularly and join structured sports activities.
For African countries, the lesson is simple but urgent: young children don’t need fancy gyms or expensive kits to get active. A ball, a field and encouragement from adults can go a long way. Let children move, play and engage in sport not just for the sake of their bodies but for the health of their minds.
Source: Lundgren O, Tigerstrand H, Lebena A, et al. Impact of physical activity on the incidence of psychiatric conditions during childhood: A longitudinal Swedish birth cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 13 May 2025. [Cited June 25, 2025]. Available from here
Related:
10 Reasons Africans Should Exercise
Health Effects of Exercise in African Females: Myths, Facts and Benefits
Published: June 26, 2025
© 2025. Datelinehealth Africa Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is given to copy, use and share content for non-commercial purposes without alteration or modification and subject to attribution as to source.
DATELINEHEALTH AFRICA INC., is a digital publisher for informational and educational purposes and does not offer personal medical care and advice. If you have a medical problem needing routine or emergency attention, call your doctor or local emergency services immediately, or visit the nearest emergency room or the nearest hospital. You should consult your professional healthcare provider before starting any nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical or wellness program mentioned or referenced in the DatelinehealthAfrica website. Click here for more disclaimer notice.
