Psychological Stress and Lowered Physical Activity Enjoyment in Adolescents With Overweight/Obesity

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to determine the cross-sectional associations between psychological stress, physical activity enjoyment, and physical activity participation [moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), total physical activity (TPA)]; and 2) to determine the moderating effect of physical activity enjoyment on the associations between stress, MVPA, and TPA in adolescents with overweight/obesity. Design: Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of the Health and Culture Project and the Stress, Obesity, and Diabetes in Adolescents study. Sample: One hundred and ten adolescents (73% female; 65.4% non-white; age 15.8 ± 1.9 years) with overweight/obesity (BMI percentile ≥ 85th percentile) were included in this analysis. Measures: Psychological stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14); enjoyment was measured via the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale; and MVPA and TPA were objectively measured using accelerometry over a minimum of 4 days. Results: Higher perceived stress was associated with lower physical activity enjoyment (β = −0.41 ± 0.15; p = 0.008). Stress was not associated with MVPA or TPA ( ps > 0.05), nor was enjoyment a significant moderator in the associations between stress and MVPA or stress and TPA ( pinteraction > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that psychological stress is associated with lower physical activity enjoyment among adolescents with overweight/obesity. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the long-term effects of stress on psychological factors that may serve as antecedents to physical activity participation among adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Research on the Relationship between Physical Literacy, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

“…The PL of overweight and obese students is also significantly lower than normal weight students. Studies have found that psychological stress is related to the lower enjoyment of physical activities among overweight or obese adolescents [ 33 ]. The PL scores of obese children were significantly lower than normal weight children.…”

Correlates of physical activity enjoyment in children and adolescents for a new perspective on the treatment of overweight: A systematic literature review

“…31 On the basis of a regression analysis, they found that only psychological stress had a negative impact on enjoying physical activity (β = À0.41, p < 0.01). 31 The second study examined the differences between subjectively and objectively assessed physical fitness in relation to physical activity enjoyment, as well as the relationship of physical activity enjoyment to parental support. 49 The authors presented significant positive correlations between physical activity enjoyment and subjectively assessed physical fitness, like perceived cardiorespiratory fitness (0.44, p < 0.01), perceived flexibility (0.26, p < 0.01), and perceived physical strength (0.31, p < 0.01).…”

“… Note : The identification numbers of the included and synthesized studies correspond to the numbers in the bibliography 30–114 ; (*) = Combined variables with similar meaning but different theoretical backgrounds; subgroups c = children, f = female, m = male; association code 0–33% = 0, 34–59% = ?, 60–100% = +/‐; double coding if four or more articles support one similar statement of association.…”

“…This variable was coded with “‐“in the table of results (see Table 2), which indicates a negative correlation of overweight with physical activity enjoyment. Only two included studies investigated correlates of physical activity enjoyment in a group of youth affected by overweight, 31,49 what prevented a separate presentation and analysis of correlates for children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. The first study looked for associations between psychological stress, sex, ethnicity, BMI percentiles, and physical activity enjoyment 31 .…”

What makes life enjoyable at an older age? Experiential wellbeing, daily activities, and satisfaction with life in general

“…In studies on situational stress in younger age groups greater stress during an activity has been associated with lower emotional wellbeing (Offer & Schneider, 2011) and lower activity enjoyment (Ajibewa et al, 2021). Similar evidence for older adults is limited, but based on the existing research, stress is expected to be negatively associated with activity enjoyment in this age group as well.…”