Body composition and health linked to anxiousness and melancholy in preadolescent youngsters

Body composition and health linked to anxiousness and melancholy in preadolescent youngsters | Image Credit: © Tom Wang – inventory.adobe.com.

A cross-sectional research revealed in JAMA Network Open examined associations between physique composition, cardiorespiratory health, and psychological well being outcomes in preadolescent youngsters. The findings point out that greater lean mass and health ranges are linked to fewer anxiousness and melancholy signs, whereas larger visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is related to elevated signs.¹

The investigation included 207 youngsters aged 8 to 11 years with out prior psychological well being diagnoses, recruited from the Greater Boston space between 2019 and 2023. Researchers assessed physique composition utilizing dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which offered measures of physique fats proportion (BF%), VAT, and lean mass. Cardiorespiratory health was evaluated by peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) relative to physique weight. Mental well being outcomes have been measured utilizing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (trait subscale) and the Children’s Depression Inventory quick type.²

Key outcomes

Analysis confirmed distinct associations between completely different tissue sorts and psychological well being. Anxiety signs have been positively related to BF% and VAT, and negatively related to lean mass and VO₂peak. Specifically, “higher BF% was associated with higher STAIC-T (β = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.23 to 6.33; P = .04). Higher VAT was associated with higher STAIC-T (β = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04 to 1.82; P = .04). Higher lean mass was associated with lower STAIC-T (β = −0.16; 95% CI, −14.77 to −1.21; P = .02). Significant associations were also found for VO₂peak, with higher VO₂peak associated with lower STAIC-T (β = −0.19; 95% CI, −0.28 to −0.04; P = .01)”.

Depressive signs confirmed a distinct sample. BF% was not considerably related, however VAT was positively correlated, whereas lean mass and VO₂peak have been inversely correlated. The authors reported, “higher VAT was significantly associated with higher CDI (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.34 to 1.11; P < .001) and higher lean mass was associated with lower CDI (β = −0.16; 95% CI, −6.39 to −0.43; P = .03). Lastly, significant associations were found for VO₂peak, with higher VO₂peak associated with lower CDI (β = −0.16; 95 % CI, −0.11 to −0.01; P = .03)”.

BMI, generally utilized in pediatric assessments, was not considerably associated to both anxiousness or melancholy on this cohort, although outcomes trended within the anticipated route. This discovering underscores the significance of tissue-specific assessments past BMI when contemplating psychological well being implications.

Interpretation and implications

The authors famous that “greater lean mass and higher fitness were associated with fewer anxiety and depression symptoms, while higher VAT was associated with increased symptoms of both”. The findings spotlight VAT’s potential function in temper regulation, probably via inflammatory processes and results on mind areas concerned in stress response. Conversely, lean mass and bodily health might exert protecting results by selling anti-inflammatory states, enhancing neuroplasticity, and supporting extra adaptive stress responses.

Although causality can’t be inferred as a result of cross-sectional design, the outcomes recommend that monitoring physique composition and health may help early identification of youngsters in danger for antagonistic psychological well being outcomes. The research authors emphasised the necessity for additional longitudinal analysis to make clear mechanisms and developmental trajectories.

The authors concluded, “These distinctions, detectable even in preadolescence, could support early identification of children at greater risk for mental health symptoms. Integrating modifiable factors like fitness and body composition into routine pediatric assessments may help guide preventative care and early intervention to improve children’s mental health outcomes.”

References:

1. Braun B, Khan NA, Hillman CH, Raine LB. Body Composition, Fitness, and Mental Health in Preadolescent Children. JAMA Network Open. 2025;8(8):e2528868-e2528868. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.28868
2. Spielberger CD, Edwards CD, Montouri J, Lushene R. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH). APA PsycNet. Accessed July 23, 2025.