Psychiatric News (4/22) reports a study found that “infants and toddlers who do not spend a lot of time outside may have an increased risk of anxiety symptoms.” In the study, “parents reported on the frequency and duration of the children’s daytime outdoor activity when the children were infants (less than a year old) and toddlers (one to three years old), and the researchers measured the children’s current anxiety.”
Researchers found that among infants, “those who had less than seven sessions of outdoor activity per week had between 1.19 and 2.55 times the odds of having anxiety symptoms.” Among toddlers, “those who had less than seven sessions of outdoor activity per week had between 1.42 and 3.10 times the odds of having anxiety symptoms.”
Researchers concluded, “These findings provide actionable insights for parents and caregivers, highlighting the importance of promoting outdoor activity in early childhood care and parenting practices.” The study was published in BMC Psychiatry.
Related Links:
— “Less Time Outside Linked to Anxiety Symptoms in Early Childhood,” Psychiatric News, April 22, 2025