Influence of a Physical Exercise Program in the Anxiety and Depression in Children with Obesity

Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez, Jerónimo J González-Bernal, Raúl Soto-Cámara, Josefa González-Santos, José Manuel Tánori-Tapia, Paula Rodríguez-Fernández, María Jiménez-Barrios, Sara Márquez and José Antonio de Paz
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Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez: Department of Sports and Physical Activity Sciences, University of Sonora, Sonora 83067, Mexico
Jerónimo J González-Bernal: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Raúl Soto-Cámara: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Josefa González-Santos: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
José Manuel Tánori-Tapia: Department of Sports and Physical Activity Sciences, University of Sonora, Sonora 83067, Mexico
Paula Rodríguez-Fernández: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
María Jiménez-Barrios: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Sara Márquez: Institute of Biomedicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
José Antonio de Paz: Institute of Biomedicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-10

Abstract: (1) Background : The high prevalence of childhood obesity and its multicausal etiology make it necessary to approach it through different strategies, whose objective is to promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of children. Regular physical activity, in addition to having positive effects on the physical environment of those who practice it, influences positively in psychological aspects such as anxiety and depression, which are very frequent in children with obesity and overweight. (2) Objective : To analyze the changes produced by a program of physical exercise based on anthropometric indicators and levels of anxiety and depression in a population of Mexican children with obesity. (3) Methods : A longitudinal study with experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). The analysis population consisted of 105 children with a body mass index (BMI) for their gender and age group above the 95th percentile, of which 60 were girls and 45 were boys, with a mean age of 10.02 years (SD ± 0.79). By randomizing the participants, 54 were part of the EG and 51 of the, CG The EG participated in a physical exercise program, distributed in two weekly sessions, each lasting 50 min, for 20 consecutive weeks. The CG group continued its usual activities during the intervention period. An inferential analysis was performed between the socio-demographic, anthropometric and psychological variables. (4) Results : The implementation of a physical exercise program in children with obesity favors the appearance of positive thoughts, with improvements in their emotional well-being, self-perception and self-concept; although it does not produce significant changes in weight, height, Z-Score, level of anxiety or depressive thoughts. (5) Discussion : Regular physical exercise practice has positive effects on mental health, although new studies are required to analyze specifically its influence on anxiety and depression in children with obesity.

Keywords: obesity; children; physical exercise; anxiety; depression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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