41. More screen time and less exercise are bad for kids’ mental health
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
More physical activity and less screen time is linked to better mental health in our kids. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers at Seattle Children’s Hospital found that less than 15 percent of teenagers are meeting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. But the more physical activity children and teenagers got, the better their mental health. Specifically, more active young children exhibit less aggressive behavior or problems with impulse control. Older active children have fewer behavioral issues and fewer depression and anxiety symptoms. Along the same lines, parents should discuss guidelines around their kids’ use of social media, such as limiting it to certain times of the day.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
