New international research suggests that kids who stay active before adolescence have a markedly lower risk of anxiety and depression later. For Thai readers, the findings reinforce urgent calls to boost physical exercise and organized sport among children and teens.
A large, prospective study published in June 2025 tracked activity levels and mental health from ages 5 to 11. Researchers found that boys who were physically active at ages 5 and 11 experienced nearly a 40% reduction in anxiety risk. Depression risk also declined for active boys, by 19% at age 5 and 23% at age 8. By age 11, active girls showed protective benefits too, with a 12% lower likelihood of future mental health diagnoses; for boys, the reduction reached 23%. The results align with growing evidence that early movement helps build psychological resilience.
The study notes a striking decline in daily activity as children age: from more than four hours of activity at age 5 to about 2.5 hours by age 11. Researchers describe the 10–12-year window as a critical period for resilience development and advocate prioritizing physical activity and organized sport during late childhood to help prevent later psychiatric conditions.
For Thailand, the implications are timely. The 2022 Thailand Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, reported in a peer‑reviewed journal, found only about 26% of Thai children and youth meet the World Health Organization guideline of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily. The pattern mirrors global trends: boys are generally more active than girls, and activity levels tend to drop during adolescence.
Locally, mental health concerns among Thai youth remain high. About one in three Thai children and young people experience moderate-to-severe stress or anxiety, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptions to routines and schooling. A 2024 panel study shows that sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Thai youth aged 6–17 fluctuates between roughly 19% and 28%, with a downward trend over several years.
Thai health and education officials have repeatedly raised alarms about rising inactivity and its mental health consequences. A senior officer at the Ministry of Public Health notes that inactivity is a major barrier to reducing mental health problems. The official urges schools and communities to prioritize sport and recreation for all children, especially as academic pressures and screen time rise.
The global findings reinforce domestic observations: early physical activity benefits the body and helps prevent depression and anxiety. Popular Thai sports—football, sepak takraw, volleyball—support social bonding, discipline, and routine. Yet experts stress that benefits extend beyond organized teams; daily active play—cycling in local streets or group dance rehearsals for school events—also builds resilience.
Thai education, rooted in morning exercises and after-school sports, faces shifts as screen time grows and exam demands intensify. Urban living, limited green space, and condo living complicate access to safe play areas, contributing to fewer active hours for children. Child psychologists in Bangkok and other cities emphasize urbanization and lifestyle changes as key drivers of inactivity.
In rural areas, traditional games such as kratai khang khao (rabbit and crow) and takraw remain popular and may inspire broader, culturally resonant physical activity efforts. A joint report from Thailand’s Ministry of Education and the World Health Organization notes that classroom time and tutoring pressures often squeeze out physical activity in schools.
Looking ahead, experts warn of long-term consequences if no action is taken: higher health-system burdens, lost potential among youth, and greater susceptibility to physical and mental illnesses. However, opportunities exist. Community and school initiatives—weekend sports leagues, parent–child activity days, and incentives for active play—are gaining traction and showing early promise.
Policy makers and families should act now. Schools should protect physical education time and encourage broad participation in sport. Communities can revive traditional games and establish regular activity clubs. Parents should promote outdoor, screen-free play and participate in active family routines to model healthy behavior.
The overarching message for Thai audiences is clear: childhood is the pivotal period for cultivating both strong bodies and resilient minds. A culture that embraces active play and inclusive sport from a young age will yield long-term mental and physical health benefits for Thailand’s next generation. Simple, everyday actions—a daily family walk, a shared badminton game, or joining a school team—can meaningfully reduce anxiety and depression risk.