Indiana University research at the American College of Sports Medicine annual ...(sitive mood -- but not related to negati...),Health

Physical activity and exercise is drawing more attention as a possible way to influence mild depression.

"In some ways, it might treat mild depression in that it increases our positive feelings, but it doesn't necessarily take away our negative feelings," McCormick said.

This study is part of a larger research project involving adults with serious mental illness. McCormick, an associate professor in the School of HPER's Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies, is collaborating with Georgia Frey, associate professor in the School of HPER's Department of Kinesiology and lead author of this mood and physical activity study.

"The results of this study were modest and based on a relatively small sample," she said, "but the findings are encouraging."

The study participants represented a general population, not a clinical population.

Frey will be available to discuss the study on Friday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Hall B. Information about the study is embargoed until this time. Coauthors include Chien-Tsung Lee and Yong-Kyeom Yoo, also from IU Bloomington. Frey can be reached at 812-855-1262 and gfrey@indiana.edu. McCormick can be reached at 812-855-348 bmccormi@indiana.edu.

The workplace, in addition to being a place for making money, has the potential for making a dent in Americans' struggles with obesity, according to Indiana University researchers.

A study led by Whitney E. Hornsby, a graduate student in IU Bloomington's School of Health Physical Education and Recreation, examined weight and activity levels of 56 people ages 23 to 61 who worked desk jobs. The study found that 80 percent of the employees were overweight or obese, which is higher than the general population, and the emp
'/>"/>