انگیزش خودتعیینی ورزش و رژیم غذایی در کودکان چاق: مطالعه پیگیری سه ساله

Abstract The present study's objective was to track long term (three years intervention and six months “detraining”) the influence of an exercise program with or without diet on the motivation of sedentary obese children. The participants were 27 children (8-11 years), divided into two groups according to the program they followed. The G1 group followed a physical exercise program (three 90-minute sessions per week), and the G2 group this physical exercise program plus a low calorie diet. The participants’ motivation to engage in exercise was measured using the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2. Both groups showed improvements in amotivation in the 3rd year and in the detraining period (in the G1 and G2, respectively) and in intrinsic regulation of exercise behaviour (in the G1 and G2, respectively). There were also differences between the two groups in external regulation in the intervention and detraining periods. This appears to be indicative of the appropriateness of long-term physical exercise to generate greater autonomous motivation, and hence changes towards healthy living habits that are stable in time.

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This study was funded by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER FUNDS) (“Una manera de hacer Europa”) and the Autonomous Government of Extremadura (Junta de Extremadura-Consejería de Infraestructura y Desarrollo Tecnológico) (PRI07B092, PO10012, GR10171). AGH was the recipient of a Research Personnel Training Studentship (FEDER FUNDS - “Una manera de hacer Europa”- Junta de Extremadura-Consejería de Economía, Comercio e Innovación) (PRE08060). We also gratefully acknowledge the collaboration of M.Duran (recruiting the sample), F.Arroyo (prescription of the diet), F. Rodriguez (statistical advice), R. Chatwin (check English) and of all the subjects and their parents who participated in the study.