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Kevin Moreno
English 301 M/W 2:30 PM
Professor: Jaime Brody
May 3, 2019
Research paper Rough Draft

Unlike physical injuries, one cannot physically spot mental illnesses, for it is difficult to

identify. Mental health is a complex foundation that consists of emotions, thinking,

communication, learning, and self-esteem (Parekh, 2018). Within the last decade, the

controversy of ADHD has only been targeted and focused on adults. Mental health for adults is

just as critical as it is for children. Yet children are more likely to be affected. Our mental health

develops within the early stages of childhood. Throughout our childhood years, the brain retains

information in order to help it furtherly develop. Moreover, a child must use their time

productively to enhance the brain development that is happening during the crucial years.

Nevertheless, empirical research has proven that there is a correlation between physical activity

and mental health (Bowling, 2017). The importance of health and “exercise”, both mental and

physical is a topic which we must incorporate with our children at an early age. When a child

understands the idea of a healthy lifestyle and the benefits that come along with exercising, they

will feel encouraged to participate in physical activity.

Mental health is crucial within the early stages of childhood, for the innocent brain is

most vulnerable. Studies have shown early development is sequential, and children develop 85%

of their core brain by the age of 5 years old (Montessori, 2016). Meaning that children unlock

more than ¾ of the brain learning potential. We should care because that’s where most of the

information a child will learn determines how they will grow into adulthood. Furthermore, the

child’s brain retains information to help it further develop, so if we do not educate parents today

about the preventions of ADHD we will eventually have an increase in mental illnesses.
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although, there are many ways to encourage a child to get their daily exercise. Children

facilitate exercise through their active play (Brockman, R., et al., 2011). A child needs an

imagination, for it opens doors to many possibilities. For instance, a child who pretends to run as

fast as a cheetah is exercising in their own way. Meanwhile, another child is delighted with

technology will avoid the opportunity for active play (Brockman, R., et al., 2011). A child's

environment can influence its mental health, causing disabilities and taking a toll on the way a

child can exist in their adulthood. Children’s mental health covers a variety of disorders in which

are easily diagnosed in early stages. Therefore, children who are not exposed to the importance

of physical activity during adolescence are more likely to develop ADHD, a mental illness.

When proposing exercises to children at early stages, it will only bring great benefits on

their road to adulthood. A child's mental health is affected by the amount of exercise they

participate in. Moreover, While School-age children tend to demonstrate waves of impulsivity, it

would be a perfect time to get them active. Children who partake in physical activity are more

likely to feel happy (Bowling, 2017). Physical activity is defined as a bodily movement that

increases the heart rate more than normal and allows for higher energy (Gronwald, T.,

Velasques, B., et al. 2018). Some physical activities like tag is an activity that most children

typically tend to incorporate in the playground. Creative fun activities keep a child interested and

will encourage them to keep going. Additionally, children's hyperactivity levels and impulsivity

decreases when participating in exercise (Bowling, 2017). In other words, this means that the

more exercise a child performs the less likely the same child will have exposure to ADHD.

As a parent, our purpose is to have productive citizens who are going to be a part of

thriving communities. Which is why children's mental health is an important part of our

responsibilities as adults. Most mental illnesses and disorders are typically discovered at a young
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age. Starting out young will avoid future problems that consist of health illnesses. Parents are

typically a child's role model and should prevent any disorders their child could potentially face

(Ho, F., et al., 2017). This means a child will pursue anything that a parent has taught them to be.

For example, if a child grows up in a household where mom and dad lack interest or knowledge

in exercise it is more likely that they will grow up the same. On the other hand, if a child's parent

regulates physical activity it is more likely the child will do the same. Therefore, this is why as a

society we must encourage our little ones to exercise and participate in active play, for it is

crucial and limited.

Children’s mental health is easily exposed to a wide range of disorders. Although

exercise can improve a child's mood and decrease any behavioral health disorder levels

(Bowling, 2017). The problem begins with the lack of knowledge and discipline parents provide.

Although encouraging our children to participate in family walks, or playing ball outside can

easily serve as daily exercises. Unfortunately, nowadays parents are leaning towards purchasing

technology for their children rather than encouraging them to play at jungle gyms. Blue light

technology has become a barrier for kids that leads to the decrease of physical activity

throughout the day (Brockman, R., et al., 2011). This study illustrated that there is a clear

connection between a child's screen time and mental health. Meaning that technology takes away

time away from exercise.

As these kids increase their amount of electronic use, so do the risks of mental health

issues. Some disorder such as ADHD, mood swings, inclusively suicide is common mental

health issues among children who replace exercise with technology (Brockman, R., et al., 2011).

Meaning that giving a child technology will significantly only do more harm than any good.

Statistics have found that children who use technology for more than 3 hours a day have an
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increase in mental health symptoms (Sampasa-Kanyinga, H. & Lewis, R.F. 2015). Overuse of

technology will only increase the chances of being diagnosed with ADHD. Specifically, children

who are diagnosed with ADHD are those who spend more hours playing with electronic devices

(Holton, K.F. & Nigg, J.T. 2016). The use of technology in a child's brain clearly does damage,

for the brain has not reached its full development capacity. Not only will children not understand

that they are striving to further mental health illnesses, but they will also rot their brain.

Children spend more than half of their day at school. Meaning that children have little

time to invest in physical activity at home. Although as a parent one should encourage as much

activity as they can while a child spends the rest of their day at home. Additionally, this is why

physical education should be a required curriculum. However, schools today are revising PE

plans and further eliminating them. This is essential because children who engage in physical

activity have shown a more positive mindset and well-being (Ho, F., et al., 2017). Not only will

exercise improve one's mental health but it will strengthen your character. Moreover, physical

education should be encouraged not eliminated. We must teach our children that exercise is just

as important as general education. If a child has no knowledge of the benefits of exercising, they

will eventually develop ADHD. Now that schools have completely opted to eliminate physical

education they are surrounded by an epidemic of parents not encouraging their children to play.

This is a growing epidemic where children are not getting enough exercise and are setting

themselves up for future mental illnesses. If we let this continue our future generation will pass

down unhealthy habits to their own children who will then continue the cycle. Therefore, we

must stress the importance of physical activity within our children today to avoid problems

tomorrow.
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If society improves in helping and caring for children at a young age, we will reduce the

lack of knowledge in identifying features of mental illnesses. With education, one can be aware

of discrimination against people who are diagnosed with mental illnesses. Mental health issues

don't just happen to children, yet it is where the problem begins. With technology advancing and

physical education courses decreasing in public schooling, parents must encourage their children

to participate in physical activity. Exercising only brings benefits to children and their health,

both physical and mental. With the acceptance that mental illnesses do exist, an individual can

properly educate themselves. By educating themselves on the contributing factors of mental

illnesses, parents can prevent the risks in their own children. This is why children who are not

exposed to the importance of physical activity during adolescence are more likely to develop

ADHD. Although many of us do not know what ADHD is or where it came from. Yet, it is

important to be informed where ADHD originated along with its story.


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Works Cited

Bowling, A. B. (2017). Understanding Effects of Exercise and Diet to Improve Mental and

Physical Health in Children with Behavioral Health Disorders. Digital Access to

Scholarship at Harvard, 1-52.

https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/34214166/BOWLING-DISSERTATION-

2017.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y

Brockman, R., Jago, R., & Fox, K. (2011). Children's active play: self-reported motivators,

barriers and facilitators. BMC Public Health, 11(1), 461.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2458-11-461

Gronwald, T., Velasques, B., Ribeiro, P., Machado, S., Murillo-Rodríguez, E., Ludyga, S., . .

Budde, H. (2018). Increasing exercise's effect on mental health: Exercise intensity does

matter. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,

115(51). https://www-pnas-org.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/content/115/51/E11890

Ho, F., Louie, L., Wong, W., Chan, K., Tiwari, A., Chow, C., . . . Ip, P. (2017). A Sports-Based

Youth Development Program, Teen Mental Health, and Physical Fitness: An RCT.

Pediatrics, 140(4). http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/4/e20171543

Holton, K.F. & Nigg, J.T. (2016). The association of lifestyle factors and ADHD in children.

Journal of Attention Disorders.

Sampasa-Kanyinga, H. & Lewis, R.F. (2015). Frequent use of social networking sites is

associated with poor psychological functioning among children and

adolescents.Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(7).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26167836

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