ABSTRACT

Objectives

This study aims to compare the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders, screen time, and sleep patterns between children who engage in regular physical exercise and those who do not.

Materials and Methods

The sample of 40 children and adolescents aged 8-14, who met diagnostic criteria for any psychiatric disorder, excluding exclusion criteria, was compared with a control group of 40 healthy children matched for age and gender without any psychopathology; matched for age and gender. Both groups were assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime version-Turkish interview, sociodemographic form, Childhood Anxiety Screening Scale, and Child Depression Inventory.

Results

Significant differences were observed between exercise status and the total scores of the Depression Scale and Childhood Anxiety Screening Scale. Considering the mean ranks, the depression and anxiety scores of individuals who exercised were significantly lower than those who did not. A significant relationship was found between exercise status and the presence of a family member who exercises, with children who have a family member who exercises being more likely to engage in sports. Significant differences were also found in the duration of technology use between those who exercised and those who did not. It was shown that those who exercised used technological devices for shorter periods. No significant difference was found between exercise status and sleep duration.

Conclusion

Regular physical exercise has been shown to have positive effects on mental health in children and adolescents. Therefore, it is recommended to encourage children and adolescents to engage in sports as both a preventive measure for mental health from an early age and a part of psychiatric treatment.