Abstract
There is an increase of inactivity and overweight in children and adolescents which has a negative impact on their physical, motoric, emotional and cognitive development. This study examines changes in physical fitness and psychological well-being after participation in an intervention program offering a weekly professionally guided judo practice especially for overweight and obese children and adolescents. 26 overweight or obese children and adolescents (age 7 - 14) completed on average 28 sessions of judo training over a course of 12 months. Subjects completed a physical examination (stability, body composition, leg strength) and an assessment of psychological well-being (health-related quality of life, mental health problems) prior to entering the study, after 6 months and after completion of the training. We found significant changes in stability (p < .001), fat free mass (p = .001), leg strength (left p = .022, right p = .019), mental health problems (p < .001), conduct problems (p < .001) and peer problems (p < .001) and a trend in health-related quality of life (p = .055). Participants that dropped out (n = 12) showed a significantly higher BMI (p = .018) and higher scores in peer problems (p = .004). This study indicates that judo practice could have an influence on physical and psychological variables in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Judo provides a way to introduce regular physical activity among overweight and obese children and adolescents to support a more active lifestyle. We observed significant changes in physical fitness and psychological well-being in obese children after one year of judo practice. Approaches to support obese children in developing a more active lifestyle are of great significance.
Highlights
The prevalence of inactivity, overweight and obesity among children is continually increasing and has a negative impact on the physical, motoric, emotional and cognitive development (Graf, Dordel, Koch, & Predel, 2006)
We found significant changes in stability (p < .001), fat free mass (p = .001), leg strength, mental health problems (p < .001), conduct problems (p < .001) and peer problems (p < .001) and a trend in health-related quality of life (p = .055)
This study indicates that judo practice could have an influence on physical and psychological variables in overweight and obese children and adolescents
Summary
The prevalence of inactivity, overweight and obesity among children is continually increasing and has a negative impact on the physical, motoric, emotional and cognitive development (Graf, Dordel, Koch, & Predel, 2006). Severe overweight is referred to as obesity It is characterized by an excessive amount of body fat and increasing risk for medical conditions (Warschburger & Petermann, 2007). The medical and social consequences of obesity and inactivity among children are complex and contribute to unhealthy behaviors and physical inactivity during adulthood (Graf et al, 2004). Overweight and obesity are related to long-term health conditions: e.g. the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disorders (Lu et al, 2013). In comparison to normal weight children obese children and adolescents suffer from more consequences on psychosocial health. Obese children report a lower self-esteem (Griffiths, Parsons, & Hill, 2010; Petracci & Cavrini, 2013) and more frequently suffer from depressive disorders (Blaine, 2008)
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