The Effects of Twelve-Weeks of Aerobic Exercise on Body Composition, Physical Fitness and Happiness among Obese Adolescents

Introduction: Although the effects of participating in aerobic exercise on physical and psychological indicators of children and adolescents has been investigated, its effect on obese adolescents has been less noticed.
Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of twelve-weeks of aerobic exercise on body composition, physical fitness and happiness among obese adolescents.
Methods: The present study utilized a semi-experimental approach with an applied purpose, employing a pre-test and post-test design along with a control group. 48 obese students with a BMI in the 95th percentile and higher and aged 12 to 15 years old were selected from middle schools as participants and randomly assigned into experimental (n=18) and control (n=17) groups. Body composition, physical fitness and happiness were measured using standard tests. Data was analyzed using independent sample t test and ANCOVA.
Results: The findings indicate a significant reduction in weight, BMI, BF%, and WHR among the aerobic subjects during the post-intervention period (p<0.05). Also, a significant improvement was observed in flexibility, abdominal muscle endurance, upper body strength and endurance, agility and happiness among the aerobic subjects during the post-intervention period (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Aerobic exercise program recommended in this study was successful in reducing body fat indices, physical fitness components and happiness in obese adolescents. Hence, participating in regular sport and exercises such as aerobic can be strongly recommended as an effective strategy to enhance psychological indicators such as happiness in obese adolescents.