Examining the associations of self-control with physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, and well-being in young people aged 9–13 years

Background Previous research has demonstrated that high self-control is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in young people. However, the associations of self-control with objective health measures (blood pressure, blood glucose, and plasma insulin), different components of physical fitness (motor and musculoskeletal fitness), motor competence and well-being remain largely unexplored. Methods Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 149 young people (aged 9–13 years) from the East Midlands, England completed measures of self-control, physical fitness, adiposity, well-being, motor competence, and cardiometabolic health. Univariate Pearson correlations, best-subset regression and simple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results High self-control was associated with better well-being ( r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness ( r = 0.21, p = 0.012), musculoskeletal fitness ( r = 0.19, p = 0.020), and motor fitness ( r = 0.23, p = 0.004). Best subset regression modeling identified the combination of predictors that best explained the variance in self-control, which included well-being, physical fitness (time on 4 x 10 m shuttle run), and HOMA-IR, with these effects independent of each other. Each individual component of well-being (physical well-being; p < 0.001, psychological well-being; p < 0.001, autonomy and parents; p < 0.001, and school environment; p < 0.001) was positively associated with self-control. Conclusions The present study's findings support the notion that self-control could be a significant and attractive target for future interventions focused at encouraging healthy behaviors in young people, and ultimately enhancing well being.