Original Research ArticleInternational Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
Publication: Physical fitness and body fatness are associated with mental health in Korean young adults: a cross sectional study
Int J Community Med Public Health. 2018;5(4):1262-1269.DOI10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20181200
Abstract
Background It has been recognized that body fatness and mental disorders have association, however very limited evidence have proved that physical fitness and mental health have association. Relationship between physical fitness and mental health in young adults has not been fully proved. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between physical fitness, body fatness, and mental health in young adults.
Methods A total of 149 (97 males and 52 females) college students were included. Physical fitness (sit-ups, push-ups, 1 mile run/walk), and body mass index (BMI) was measured, and psychological questionnaires including life satisfaction, self-efficacy, the beck depression inventory (BDI), and adult self report (ASR) were administered. The levels of physical fitness and BMI were classified into tertile groups and were analyzed.
Results Female participants with the highest tertile of BMI had highest ASR score (p<0.05). Participants with highest level of physical fitness showed higher level of self-efficacy in both males and females (p<0.05). In both male and female, physical fitness was a significant predictor for self-efficacy (Male: β=0.35, p<0.05, Female: β =0.31, p<0.05).
Conclusions In conclusion, physical fitness and body fatness were associated with mental health. Especially, physical fitness, independent of BMI, was proved as significant indicator for mental health in young adults.
Keywords
Affiliations
- Department of Health Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Professional Therapy, Graduate School of Professional Therapy, Gachon University, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
- Department of Sport and Leisure Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Sport Studies and Physical Education, Chowan University, Murfreesboro, NC, USA
- University College, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Physical Education, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Family Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea