Effects of weight loss programs with physical exercise on the mood state of people with obesity: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction

Individuals with obesity often face challenges related to mental health, including variations in mood state. However, evidence on how physical exercise within weight loss programs influences these outcomes remains limited.

Objectives

To examine the mood state of individuals with obesity enrolled in weight loss programs with physical exercise.

Methods

A Systematic review was conducted following the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The searches were carried out in the databases Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies that addressed the population with obesity, applied physical exercise as the main intervention or as a complement to diet and/or behavioral intervention, and examined mood states before and after exercise were included.

Results

Seven studies were included, all using the Profile of Mood States scale. Most interventions combined physical exercise with dietary strategies, and some also included behavioral support. Improvements were more consistently observed in vigor and fatigue, whereas other mood domains showed variable results across studies. Interventions combining exercise with dietary and behavioral components tended to demonstrate more consistent improvements compared to exercise-only approaches. However, the evidence was limited by heterogeneity in intervention protocols and a high risk of bias, particularly in outcome measurement and randomization.

Conclusion

Weight loss programs incorporating physical exercise may be associated with improvements in certain mood states in individuals with obesity, particularly when combined with dietary and behavioral strategies. However, the evidence is heterogeneous and limited by methodological concerns, and findings should be interpreted with caution.