Effect Of 24-weeks Low Vs High Intensity On Anxiety, Depression And Self-esteem In Obese Adolescents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of low vs. high intensity training on symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as on self-esteem in obese adolescents. METHODS: Sixty-two obese adolescents (age=15.03±1.48; BMI=34.87±4.22 kg/m2) were randomized into high intensity training (HIT, n = 31) or low intensity (LIT, n = 31) groups for 24 weeks. All participants also received the same nutritional, psychological and clinical counseling. Pre- and post-intervention symptoms of depression, anxiety and self-esteem were assessed by questionnaires and body composition by DXA. Statistical analysis was conducted using mixed models for repeated measures and effect size (Cohen´s d). RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were reduced in both groups (p = 0,006) with higher effect size to HIT (d = 1.16) compared to LIT (d = 0.45). Trait anxiety were reduced in HIT (p = 0.002; d = 0.81) and LIT (p = 0.002; d = 0.31). No changes were observed for self-esteem and anxiety state.Table 1: Effect of low vs high intensity training on self-esteem, depressive and anxiety symptoms in obese adolescents.BDI: Beck Depression Inventory; STAI: Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; RSES: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; HIT: High Intensity Training group; LIT: Low Intensity Training group; *vs baseline (p<0.05); G: group; T: time. Conclusion: The results from the present study suggested that in obese adolescents the positive changes in psychological outcomes are independent of the intensity of exercise training. Supported by CNPq (grant 477955/2009-6) and FACEPE (grant 0928-4.9/08)