Physical Activity And Psychological Health In Overweight And Obese Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE To examine psychological health characteristics of active and inactive overweight and obese adults. METHODS The Profile of Mood States (POMS), Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE) and a Satisfaction with Life scale (SWL) were administered to 13 overweight or obese adults (age=41.3 ± 6.3y, BMI = 34.6 ± 5.8 kg/m2). Usual daily ambulatory activity was assessed with a pedometer (PED, YAMAX SW-200) and a pedometer log for 7-days. Average steps/day were calculated. Participants were categorized into high active (HA) or low active (LA) groups based on their pedometer scores. Independent samples t-test and effect size (Cohen's d) statistics were calculated. RESULTS The HA group accumulated significantly more steps (13,084 ± 1287 steps/day) than the LA group (4028 ± 1088 steps/day) (t(1 1)=−13.64, p <.001). HA participants had significantly higher scores on RSE (t(11)=−2.83, p <.05) and SWL (t(11)=−2.85, p <.05) scales than LA participants. Although no significant differences were found, examination of mean scores across all POMS subscales indicate a trend toward lower depression, tension, fatigue, and confusion as well as higher vigor for HA vs. LA participants. Effect size statistics (Cohen's d) indicate a large effect of classification (HA vs. LA) on differences in depression (.65), RSE (1.32) and SWL (1.72) scores. Moderate effect size statistics were observed for activity classification (HA vs LA) on differences observed in vigor (.42) and confusion (.58) ratings between groups. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results indicate that the patterns of psychological benefits associated with higher PA levels among obese/overweight adults are similar to those found in research with a general population. Research has indicated a high prevalence of depression, low-self esteem, and otherwise poor psychological health factors among obese individuals. As such, one implication of these findings is that increasing accumulated ambulatory activity may contribute to improvements in psychological health, which in turn could reduce mood and self-esteem related barriers to beginning a more intense exercise or weight loss program. Supported by the UWM CHS SEED Grant Program (Swartz).