Background/Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among fitness, fatness and mental health in adolescents.
Method A total of 461 adolescents participated in this study. To determine the relationship between fitness and mental health, participants performed a 1-mile walk test, 1-minute push-ups, and sit-ups and were stratified into five groups based on their fitness levels (level 1 – highest fitness; 5 – lowest fitness). Mental health was determined by Life satisfaction, Self-efficacy, Adult Self-Report, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory.
Analysis/Results The correlation coefficient analysis showed that BMI was inversely correlated with self-efficacy and directly correlated with internalizing and externalizing behavior, anxiety, and depression(p<.01). After adjusting for fitness, BMI were correlated with total problem and externalizing behavior. Fitness was directly correlated with self-esteem, and self-efficacy, inversely correlated with total problem, internalizing behavior, anxiety, and depression. Participants with fitness level over 3 had a significantly lower self-esteem, self-efficacy, and higher anxiety compared to fitness level 1. In addition, those with fitness level over 4 had a significantly higher depression (p<.01). Total problem and internalizing behavior were significantly increased in the lowest fitness.
Conclusions The current study suggests that promoting weight loss and increased fitness may have beneficial effects on mental health in adolescents.