Effects of modifying physical activity and sedentary behavior on psychosocial adjustment in overweight/obese children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between changes in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and physical self-perceptions and global self-worth in 30, 8-12 years old, overweight/obese children (13 boys, 17 girls).


METHODS
Secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial designed to increase PA and reduce sedentary behavior. PA was measured by accelerometers worn by participants every day for 8 weeks. Sedentary behavior, defined as minutes per day spent in television viewing, was assessed by self-report.


RESULTS
Increases in PA were associated with increases in perceived physical conditioning (r = .54, p < .01), body satisfaction (r = .55, p < .01), and overall physical self-worth (r = .44, p < .05) independent of changes in body mass index (BMI). Reductions in TV viewing were also related to increased physical and global self-worth.


CONCLUSIONS
Increases in PA are associated with improvements in physical self-perceptions but not global self-worth, while reductions in TV viewing are associated with increased physical and global self-worth, and these psychosocial benefits appear to be independent of changes in adiposity.
Goldfield
Gary S
GS
Mental Health Research, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON Canada K1H 8L1. ggoldfield@cheo.on.ca
Mallory
Risa
R
Parker
Torrey
T
Cunningham
Terrell
T
Legg
Christine
C
Lumb
Andrew
A
Parker
Kasey
K
Prud'homme
Denis
D
Adamo
Kristi B
KB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight; D011187:Posture; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012928:Social Desirability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television