International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · May 23, 2026

Effects of a 12-Week Multidisciplinary Program on Health-Related Physical Fitness and Depressive Symptoms in Overweight and Obese Women Aged Between 45 and 64 Years with Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases

By Camilo MLA, Berbery E, Noronha ED et al.

UNLABELLED: We evaluated the effects of a 12-week multidisciplinary program on health-related physical fitness and depressive symptoms in overweight and obese women (aged 45-64 years) diagnosed with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). METHODS: A longitudinal, pre-experimental, proof-of-concept study was conducted. Thirty-one women completed multidisciplinary interventions [nutritional education or psychoeducation (each once a week), and resistance training (twice a week)]. Body composition (bioelectrical impedance), physical fitness (maximal isometric strength, lower limb strength-endurance, flexibility, and aerobic fitness), and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were measured at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: Significant improvements in body composition were observed in terms of lean mass (Δ% = 3.7; p < 0.001), fat-free mass (Δ% = 3.6; p < 0.001), skeletal muscle mass (Δ% = 5.2; p < 0.001), fat mass (Δ% = -3.5; p < 0.001), body fat percentage (Δ% = -4.7; p < 0.001), and visceral fat level (Δ% = -2.9; p = 0.012). Physical fitness exhibited a large effect size in the chair stand test (d = 0.91) and the 6 min walk test (d = 1.22). Depressive symptom scores substantially decreased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The program demonstrated potential efficacy in mitigating sarcopenic obesity, enhancing functional capacity, and reducing depressive symptoms, indicating potential clinical viability for the integrated management of multimorbidity.

doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23060690 Open access PubMed 42354221 Interventions