Die Forschung verbindet Inaktivität in der Kindheit mit Depressionen in einem Teufelskreis. Diese Dynamik scheint über das einzelne Kind hinauszugehen, da die Stimmung und das Inaktivitätsniveau eines Kindes letztendlich Einfluss auf das geistige Wohlbefinden seiner Eltern haben können.

>New research suggests a bidirectional relationship exists between how much time children spend sitting and their mental health, creating a cycle where inactivity feeds feelings of depression and vice versa. This dynamic appears to extend beyond the individual child, as a child’s mood and inactivity levels can eventually influence their parent’s mental well-being. These [results](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100729) were published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity.

>For decades, health experts have recognized that humans spend a large portion of their waking hours in sedentary behaviors. This term refers to any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure of 1.5 metabolic equivalents or less while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture. Common examples include watching television, playing video games while seated, or sitting in a classroom. While the physical health consequences of this inactivity are well documented, the impact on mental health is a growing area of concern.

>In recent years, screen time has risen considerably among adolescents. This increase has prompted researchers to question how these behaviors interact with mood disorders such as depression. Most prior studies examining this link have focused on adults. When studies do involve younger populations, they often rely on the participants to report their own activity levels. Self-reported data is frequently inaccurate, as people struggle to recall exactly how many minutes they spent sitting days or weeks ago.

>There is also a gap in understanding how these behaviors function within a family unit. Parents and children do not exist in isolation. They form a “dyad,” or a two-person group wherein the behavior and emotions of one person can impact the other. To address these gaps, a team of researchers led by Maria Siwa from the SWPS University in Poland investigated these associations using objective measurement tools. The researchers aimed to see if depression leads to more sitting, or if sitting leads to more depression. They also sought to understand if these effects spill over from child to parent.