Abstract
Background: Overweight individuals face weight-related stigmatization, driving self-exclusion from exercise and physical activity. The extent to which weight self-stigma and self-esteem are associated with aerobic capacity remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the cardiopulmonary fitness, weight self-stigma, and self-esteem of overweight women and examine whether weight self-stigma and self-esteem predict cardiopulmonary aerobic capacity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 66 women stratified into two groups: a normal weight (NW) group and an overweight (OW) group. The mean body mass indexes and ages of the NW and OW groups were 20.4 ± 0.36 kg/m2 and 29.5 ± 0.8 kg/m2, and 24 ± 7 years and 21 ± 3 years, respectively. Submaximal exercise testing using the modified Bruce treadmill protocol was conducted to measure the predicted oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and energy expenditure. The Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used. Results: Significantly lower mean of predicted VO2 peak and higher mean of energy expenditure were reported in the OW group compared with the NW group (25.8 ± 5.3 mL/kg/min vs. 28.7 ± 4.8 mL/kg/min, p = 0.001 and 9.7 ± 1.9 kcal/min vs. 7.5 ± 1.8 kcal, p = 0.03, respectively). There was a significant difference in weight self-stigma and self-esteem between the groups. Regression model analysis indicated that weight self-stigma and self-esteem explained 45% of the variance in the predicted VO2 peak. Conclusion: Strategies enhancing self-esteem and avoiding stigmatization should be embraced to promote fitness and engagement in physical activity among OW women.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilFunctional aerobic capacity (FAC) is important for the maintenance of cardiovascular function and has been shown to play a protective role in reducing the risk of metabolic disorders [1], heart disease [2], and even mental health [3]
This study investigated the association between FAC, as reflected by predicted VO2 peak, self-esteem, and weight self-stigma among OW women
Both groups started with a similar baseline, and there were no significant differences between the two groups except for the differences in systolic blood pressure (BP) and age
Summary
Functional aerobic capacity (FAC) is important for the maintenance of cardiovascular function and has been shown to play a protective role in reducing the risk of metabolic disorders [1], heart disease [2], and even mental health [3]. Organization as the best determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness [4] It is a strong and independent predictor of cardiovascular health, mortality, and morbidity in adults [5]. The capability to perform exercise and activities daily is multifactorial and linked to an efficient function of central hemodynamics, muscle energy metabolism, and psychological health [6]. This study aimed to characterize the cardiopulmonary fitness, weight self-stigma, and self-esteem of overweight women and examine whether weight self-stigma and self-esteem predict cardiopulmonary aerobic capacity.
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