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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on February 16, 2009
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp007
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Exercise Effects on Depressive Symptoms and Self-Worth in Overweight Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial*

Karen H. Petty, PhD1, Catherine L. Davis, PhD1, Joseph Tkacz, MS1,{dagger}, Deborah Young-Hyman, PhD1 and Jennifer L. Waller, PhD2

1Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Prevention Institute and 2Department of Biostatistics, Medical College of Georgia

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Catherine L. Davis, Georgia Prevention Institute, 1499 Walton Way, HS-1713, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. E-mail: cadavis{at}mcg.edu


  Abstract

Objective To test the dose–response effects of an exercise program on depressive symptoms and self-worth in children. Method Overweight, sedentary children (N = 207, 7–11 years, 58% male, 59% Black) were randomly assigned to low or high dose (20 or 40 min/day) aerobic exercise programs (13 ± 1.6 weeks), or control group. Children completed the Reynolds Child Depression Scale and Self-Perception Profile for Children at baseline and posttest. Results A dose–response benefit of exercise was detected for depressive symptoms. A race x group interaction showed only White children's global self-worth (GSW) improved. There was some evidence that increased self-worth mediated the effect on depressive symptoms. Conclusions This study shows dose–response benefits of exercise on depressive symptoms and self-worth in children. However, Blacks did not show increased GSW in response to the intervention. Results provide some support for mediation of the effect of exercise on depressive symptoms via self-worth.

Key words: children; depression; health behavior; health promotion and prevention; obesity; race/ethnicity; self-worth.

*A preliminary version of this work was presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 2007 conference and the 2008 National Conference in Child Health Psychology.

{dagger}Present address: Health Analytics.

Received September 24, 2007; revision received January 13, 2009; accepted January 16, 2009


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