Richard Carmona

As the nation begins to prepare for another COVID surge in the fall, one of the most troubling lingering consequences of the last two years is the negative effect on teen mental health.

Nearly half of Gen Z (46 percent) confirm their mental health worsened during the pandemic, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Indeed the isolation, increased screen time, and sedentary lifestyle had a negative effect on many Americans — but none more than teenagers. However, studies show that physical activity can reduce anxiety and stress, and improve mood. In fact, nine out of 10 teens agree that regular physical activity improves their overall mental health.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, only 15 percent of middle school and high school students met the recommended hour of physical activity a day over the last two years. An acute adolescent mental health crisis is now challenging parents, school administrators and healthcare professionals across the county.

One company is combating this issue. Planet Fitness’s High School Summer Pass provides teens (age 14 to 19) with access to fitness equipment at more than 2,200 locations across the country at no cost all summer long. A recent survey conducted by Planet Fitness showed that 88 percent of teen participants felt that their overall mood improves after exercise and that the free access to fitness facilities helped reduce their dependency on phones. This allows young people to work on their physical health and self-esteem. Also, eight in 10 participants reported a boost in confidence and happiness after signing up for the summer pass.

One teen in the program, Isabella L. from Texas, said, “I am very grateful that Planet Fitness is offering this program for teenagers. Many teenagers in the area cannot afford a gym membership. This is also a perfect way to get many bored teens out of the house while boosting our health and confidence. Personally, being able to go to the gym has given me something to look forward to throughout the week and mood boosts.”

Parents are seeing the benefits too, with one parent saying, “(The program) gives my son a sense of belonging and accomplishment. He genuinely looks forward to our visits to the gym. This has fueled his interest in healthy living and better eating habits. He has even used his online time researching workouts and diets instead of playing online games.”

And, Megan L., a parent in Colorado, said, “It’s been so refreshing that Planet Fitness genuinely cares about the mental and physical health of teenagers. As a parent that has struggled with depression and anxiety for my entire life, I’ve always encouraged staying active as it has literally saved my own life. My son and his friends are making a special point to visit the gym at least three times a week. I’ve seen some extremely positive growth in my son.”

With such positive results, it is no surprise the majority of parents report their own mental health has improved because of their teens’ increased physical activity. It is clear that fitness centers play a critical role in our nation’s healthcare delivery system, and specific programs like anti-COVID sanitization efforts can be important tools in the fight against the health consequences of COVID-19.

Richard Carmona was the 17th surgeon general of the United States and is a distinguished professor at the University of Arizona. He is an adviser to Planet Fitness on COVID safety protocols. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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