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Physical Activity as Depression Treatment

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Physical Activity Across the Lifespan

Part of the book series: Issues in Children's and Families' Lives ((IICL,volume 12))

Abstract

Clinical depression affects millions of young people each year. During youth and adolescence, depression is associated with a variety of psychological and social difficulties. For example, youth and adolescents with depression often experience low self-esteem and confidence, impaired social and interpersonal skills, poor school performance and achievement, social withdrawal, and difficult family and peer relationships (Bylund & Reed, 2007; Mehler-Wex & Kolch, 2008). Treatment for this disorder is vital because experiencing an episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) during adolescence greatly increases the likelihood that the child will develop another depressive episode (5 year recurrence rates are in excess of 70 %) or will develop substance abuse during young adulthood (Lewinsohn & Clarke, 1999; Mehler-Wex & Kolch, 2008). Finally, untreated depression is associated with suicidal ideation and suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States (Klomek & Stanley, 2007).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 680 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, USA

    Lynette L. Craft

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  1. Lynette L. Craft
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Correspondence to Lynette L. Craft .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Division of Child and Family Development, Administration for Children and Families, L'Enfant Plaza Promenade, SW 370, Washington, 20447, District of Columbia, USA

    Aleta L. Meyer

  2. Child and Family Agency of Southeastern, Hempstead Street 255, New London, 06320, Connecticut, USA

    Thomas P. Gullotta

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Craft, L.L. (2012). Physical Activity as Depression Treatment. In: Meyer, A., Gullotta, T. (eds) Physical Activity Across the Lifespan. Issues in Children's and Families' Lives, vol 12. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3606-5_5

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