A meta-analysis of the relationship between children's physical activity and mental health

Soyeon Ahn, Alicia L. Fedewa

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

348 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study was a comprehensive, quantitative synthesis of the literature examining the effects of physical activity on children's mental health outcomes. The final analysis included 73 published and unpublished studies, totaling 246 effect sizes. Various study and participant characteristics were coded to assess moderator effects, including type of physical activity, mental health outcome, gender, cognitive ability, mental status, and implementer of the physical activity, etc. Results demonstrated varying effects depending on the methodology of the examined study [i.e., correlational vs. randomized controlled trial (RCT)/non-RCT] and characteristics of the participants, although overall effects of physical activity on children's mental health were small but significant, indicating that on average physical activity led to improved mental health outcomes for all children.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)385-397
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology
Volume36
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Keywords

  • interventions
  • mental health
  • overweight
  • physical activity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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