Aerobic Exercise Program Management Enhances Mental and Physical Health in Overweight/Obese Adolescents With Depression: Insights From a Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Overweight/obese adolescents show higher rates of depression. This study aims to explore the effect of aerobic exercise program management on overweight/obese adolescents with depression. 

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed clinical data of overweight/obese adolescents with depression at Wuhan Mental Health Center, from June 2019 to June 2022. Propensity score matching (PSM), t-tests, and chi-square tests were applied. Observation indexes including Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 (HAMD-17), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR), nursing effectiveness, and Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74. 

Results: A total of 229 depressed overweight/obese adolescents were divided into two groups: the control group (n = 108) receiving routine care only, and the observation group (n = 121) receiving routine care along with aerobic exercise. After 1:1 PSM (caliper 0.02), groups (each group comprised 104 patients) showed no baseline differences. No significant differences were found in HAMA, HAMD-17, SCSQ, quality of life scores, BMI, and WHR pre-exercise (p > 0.05). Post-nursing care, the observation group exhibited significantly lower HAMA (t = 3.589, p = 0.001), HAMD-17 (t = 3.554, p = 0.001), SCSQ negative scores (t = 3.584, p = 0.001), BMI (t = 3.051, p = 0.003), and waist-to-hip ratio (t = 3.379, p = 0.001), with higher SCSQ positive (t = 3.443, p = 0.001) and quality of life in material life (t = 3.385, p = 0.001), physical function (t = 3.834, p < 0.001), social function (t = 3.485, p = 0.001), psychological function (t = 3.178, p = 0.002) compared to the control group. 

Conclusion: The aerobic exercise program care for overweight/obese adolescents with depression, which is advocated and has a high nursing effect, can effectively improve the anxiety and depression of patients.