Effects of modifying physical activity and sedentary behavior on psychosocial adjustment in overweight/obese children

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).

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.

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.

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.