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Physical activity, mental health, and weight gain in a longitudinal observational cohort of nonobese young adults
Author(s) -
Staiano Amanda E.,
Marker Arwen M.,
Martin Corby K.,
Katzmarzyk Peter T.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21567
Subject(s) - medicine , body mass index , anxiety , weight gain , depression (economics) , cohort , weight change , cohort study , endocrinology , obesity , weight loss , body weight , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
Objective To investigate the relationship among moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), mental health symptoms, and weight gain in young adults. Methods Fifty‐nine healthy men and women (age 26.8 ± 4.7 years, body mass index [BMI] 22.4 ± 2.3 kg/m 2 ) were assessed at baseline and year 2. Weight, BMI, fat mass by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, anxiety and depression by the SCL‐90, and MVPA by accelerometry were assessed. Sex‐stratified linear regression models were used to examine associations between baseline anxiety/depression and body composition change, then repeated controlling for baseline MVPA. Results Overall, weight, BMI, fat mass, and subcutaneous adiposity significantly increased at year 2 ( P < 0.05). For women, a higher depression and anxiety score predicted increased weight, BMI, fat mass, and subcutaneous adiposity ( P < 0.05). Controlling for MVPA attenuated these associations to nonsignificance. For men, MVPA did not alter the associations between anxiety and increased weight, BMI, fat mass, and subcutaneous adiposity ( P < 0.05) or the associations between depression and decreased weight, BMI, fat mass, and subcutaneous adiposity ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Anxiety and depression were related to body composition change for young adults. In women, MVPA attenuated these associations to nonsignificance. MVPA may buffer the adverse effects of depression and anxiety symptoms on young women's weight gain.