Editorial: Physical Activity and Depression in Youth: Insights From a Longitudinal Birth Cohort Study

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an exponential rise in mental health crises among youth, particularly with depressive symptoms.¹ More than 1 in 5 children and adolescents worldwide experience depressive symptoms or meet criteria for major depressive disorder,² highlighting a critical public health challenge. Although physical activity has long been considered a protective factor against depression, most published research has relied on cross-sectional or short-term studies. This editorial will review and contextualize the recent study by Steinsbekk and colleagues,³ which provides crucial insights into the dynamic relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms by leveraging objective measures and a longitudinal, within-person analytical approach from childhood through adolescence.