Improving physical fitness and emotional well-being in adolescents of low socioeconomic status in Chile

Results of a school-based controlled trial

Bibliographic Data

ID22945736
AuthorsMarco Bonhauser (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, corresponding author), Gonzalo Fernandez (0000-0001-8211-2177), Klaus Püschel (0000-0002-1362-1311), Fernando Yañez (0000-0002-3326-6281), Joaquín Montero, Beti Thompson (0000-0003-1122-1979), Gloria D Coronado (0000-0003-1130-6542), Gloria Coronado
Year2005
Volume20
Issue2
Pages113-122
Publication date2005-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/dah603
PMID15788528
OpenAlexW2121236680
LanguageEN
Citations received31
References cited36

Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, and mortality due to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Among adolescents, physical activity is associated with benefits in the prevention and control of emotional distress, and improvement of self-esteem. Countries in transitional epidemiological scenarios, such as Chile, need to develop effective strategies to improve physical activity as a way to face the epidemic of chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a school-based physical activity program on physical fitness and mental health status of adolescents living in a low socioeconomic status area in Santiago, Chile. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of the program over one academic year. The study included 198 students aged 15 years old. Two ninth grade classes were randomly selected as the intervention group, with two classes of the same grade as controls. A social planning approach was used to develop the intervention. The program was designed and implemented based on student preferences, teachers' expertise and local resources. Changes in physiological and mental health status were assessed. After the intervention, maximum oxygen capacity achieved a significant increase of 8.5% in the intervention versus 1.8% in the control group (p 0.01). Anxiety score decreased 13.7% in the intervention group versus 2.8% in the control group (p 80%. To conclude, a school-based program to improve physical activity in adolescents of low socioeconomic status, obtained a high level of participation and achieved significant benefits in terms of physical fitness and mental health status.

Anxiety · Environmental health · Intervention (counseling) · Mental health · Physical fitness · Physical therapy · Population · Psychiatry · Randomized controlled trial · Social support · Socioeconomic status · Cardiovascular and exercise physiology · Clinical Psychology · Health and Lifestyle Studies · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology