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Graduation Term

2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Committee Chair

Dale Brown

Abstract

The United States has witnessed an alarming rise in overweight and obesity within the past twenty years. It is currently estimated that two-thirds of the population is now overweight with one-third being obese. In conjunction with obesity, the United States has also seen an increase in depression in recent years which is defined as feelings of intense sadness, which include feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness that can last from many days to many weeks keeping an individual from functioning normally. One major contributing factor to both of these issues may be a lack of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to compare fitness and adiposity scores in individuals who were classified as depressed, or non-depressed. The data for this study was drawn from an Illinois State University archive data using past Kinesiology and Recreation Personal Fitness (KNR 113) students (n=141). Subjects were assessed for depression via the Beck Depression survey, obesity via body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), and waist to hip ratio (W/H). Cardiovascular fitness was assessed utilizing a one mile walk test which was converted into a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). Muscular strength and endurance was assessed by maximal push-up and sit-up tests. Results showed no differences in sex between low depression (LD) and moderate depression (MD) groups. Significant differences between low depression and moderate depression groups were found in BMI (LD = 23.75) (MD = 25.42) and BF% (LD = 22.23%) (MD = 26.05%. No significant differences were found in muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, or W/H between low depression and moderate depression groups. It is concluded that BMI and BF% is associated with higher depression scores in both men and women, yet there is no association between depression status and physical activity scores.

Access Type

Thesis-ISU Access Only

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2014.Kuster.T

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