중년여성의 피트니스 활동이 우울 및 외모만족도에 미치는 영향

Abstract

The study aims at examining empirically the impact of physical exercise on depressive symptoms and body satisfaction in middle-aged women. In order to carry out this study, a survey was conducted with a random sample of 200 middle-aged women who live in Daejeon in South Korea and engaged in some physical activities. The results of survey revealed the followings. Firstly, middle-aged women’s average level of depression was 29.63, indicating a high level of depressive symptoms. In contrast, the average score of body satisfaction was 3.11, indicating a relatively low level of satisfaction. Secondly, I conducted an analysis that accounts for differences in the level of depressive symptoms by frequency and duration of physical exercise. The results revealed that those who frequently exercise were found to have lower depression scores than those who do not. Thirdly, the analysis that accounts for differences in body satisfaction by frequency and duration of physical exercise showed that those who frequently exercise were found to have higher body satisfaction scores than those who do not. The key findings of this study suggest that physical exercise has a positive effect on middle-aged women’s physical and physiological health. Physical exercise improves body satisfaction and reduces depressive symptoms which are the most prevalent mental disorder among middle-aged women.