Physical Exercise on the Physical and Mental Health of Obese University Students

Abstract

Objectives: In this paper, I explore the comprehensive effects of physical exercise on the physical and mentalhealth of obese undergraduate students, examining how physical health mediates improvements in mentalhealth and how gender influences these effects. Methods: I utilized the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaireand the WHO-Five Well-Being Index to survey 600 undergraduates from 3 schools in Shandong Province,focusing on self-reported measures of physical exercise, physical health, and mental health. Results: I foundstatistically significant positive effects of physical exercise on the physical (β = 0.18, p < .01) and mentalhealth (β = 0.31, p < .001) of obese students. Physical exercise significantly affects mental health throughits impact on physical health. Moreover, gender played a statistically significant moderating role betweenphysical exercise and physical health; compared to female students, male students experienced a strongerbeneficial effect of physical exercise on physical health. Conclusions: Physical health acts as a key mediatorbetween physical exercise and mental health in these students, with gender playing a moderating rolein the direct effects of physical exercise on physical health. Future studies should delve into additionalmoderating variables like age, socioeconomic background, and lifestyle variations. Longitudinal researchcould offer insights into the enduring impacts of physical activity on both physical and psychological health.