Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2016 | Research
Association between physical activity and health-related quality of life in children: a cross-sectional study
Authors:
Sharifah Wajihah Wafa bte Syed Saadun Tarek Wafa, Mohd Razif bin Shahril, Aryati bte Ahmad, Laila Ruwaida bte Zainuddin, Karimah Fakhriah bte Ismail, Myat Moe Thwe Aung, Noor Aini bte Mohd Yusoff
Published in:
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
|
Issue 1/2016
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Abstract
Background
Research suggests that physical activity plays a role to improve health related- quality of life (QoL), however studies examining the association between physical activity and HRQOL are limited in the paediatric literature. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between physical activity and HRQoL among Malaysian children.
Methods
Participants (n = 78 normal weight; 78 obese children) aged 9–11 years completed a validated quality of life (QoL) inventory and wore an accelerometer to objectively measure physical activity for 1 week.
Results
Psychosocial Health domain and Total QoL (all p < 0.05) were significantly lower for obese compared to normal weight children. Children who spent more time in sedentary behaviour had significantly lower QoL on Psychosocial Health domain and Total QoL except for the Physical Health domain. There was also a strong positive correlation between QoL and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) indicating that children who are physically active have a better quality of life.
Conclusions
Physical activity promotion should be emphasised to improve QoL in children.