@article{ref1,
title="Children's physical activity and depression: a meta-analysis",
journal="Pediatrics",
year="2017",
author="Korczak, Daphne J. and Madigan, Sheri and Colasanto, Marlena",
volume="139",
number="4",
pages="e2016-2266",
abstract="CONTEXT: Research regarding the protective effects of early physical activity on depression has yielded conflicting results. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to synthesize observational studies examining the association of physical activity in childhood and adolescence with depression. DATA SOURCES: Studies (from 2005 to 2015) were identified by using a comprehensive search strategy. STUDY SELECTION: The included studies measured physical activity in childhood or adolescence and examined its association with depression. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by 2 independent coders. Estimates were examined by using random-effects meta-analysis. <br><br>RESULTS: Fifty independent samples (89 894 participants) were included, and the mean effect size was significant (r = -0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.19 to -0.10). Moderator analyses revealed stronger effect sizes in studies with cross-sectional versus longitudinal designs (k = 36, r = -0.17; 95% CI = -0.23 to -0.10 vs k = 14, r = -0.07; 95% CI = -0.10 to -0.04); using depression self-report versus interview (k = 46, r = -0.15; 95% CI = -0.20 to -0.10 vs k = 4, r = -0.05; 95% CI = -0.09 to -0.01); using validated versus nonvalidated physical activity measures (k = 29, r = -0.18; 95% CI = -0.26 to -0.09 vs k = 21, r = -0.08; 95% CI = -0.11 to -0.05); and using measures of frequency and intensity of physical activity versus intensity alone (k = 27, r = -0.17; 95% CI = -0.25 to -0.09 vs k = 7, r = -0.05; 95% CI = -0.09 to -0.01). LIMITATIONS: Limitations included a lack of standardized measures of physical activity; use of self-report of depression in majority of studies; and a small number of longitudinal studies. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity is associated with decreased concurrent depressive symptoms; the association with future depressive symptoms is weak.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0031-4005",
doi="10.1542/peds.2016-2266",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2266"
}