Are physical activity, sedentary behaviors and sleep duration associated with body mass index-for-age and health-related quality of life among high school boys and girls?

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies reported lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores in overweight and obese adolescents compared to their normal weight counterparts; however, few studies investigated the association between obesity-related behaviors including physical activity and sedentary behaviors and HRQOL in adolescents. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behaviors, sleep duration and body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age) and HRQOL among high school Tehranian students.MethodsA total of 465 high school students (48.8 % girls) were recruited from three different socio-economic zones in Tehran. The BMI-for-age was determined and physical activity and HRQOL were assessed using validated questionnaires including Quantification de l’Activite Physique en Altitude Chez les Enfants (QAPACE) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) respectively.ResultsOver one third of students (38.5 %) were either overweight or obese. The means of all self- and parent-reported HRQOL scores were significantly lower in girls, compared to boys, except for the parent-reported social functioning subscale. Mean hours of daily sleeping were significantly higher in girls, compared to boys (8.16 ± 1.27 vs. 7.73 ± 1.22 respectively; p < 0.05). Both girls and boys spent more time on sedentary activities than engaging in sport activities. During school and vacation periods, boys had significantly higher daily energy expenditure (DEE) compared to girls (p < 0.05). Only DEE during school period had a significant inverse correlation with BMI-for-age in boys but not girls (r = −0.14, p < 0.05). In addition, self-reported HRQOL scores were significantly associated with weekly hours adolescents spent on videogames/internet, listening to music and reading, watching TV, sports as well as DEE through sex-specific patterns. However according to parents’ perspective only weekly hours spent on listening to music and readings and sport activities were significantly associated with their children HRQOL scores.ConclusionIn summary, time spent on physical and sedentary activities were not associated with BMI-for-age, although both of these were associated with the HRQOL of high school students. The potential role of sedentary activities and physical activity should be considered in future interventions aimed at improving HRQOL in adolescents.

Use of time and adolescent health‐related quality of life/well‐being: a scoping review

“…Of the 13 studies, 11 examined screen time alone (22,23,34,39,41,46,47,(49)(50)(51)(52), one examined reading and music listening on top of screen time (38), and one examined overall sedentary behaviour (duration of sitting) (44). Of the 13 studies, 11 examined screen time alone (22,23,34,39,41,46,47,(49)(50)(51)(52), one examined reading and music listening on top of screen time (38), and one examined overall sedentary behaviour (duration of sitting) (44).…”

“…Of the 13 studies, 11 examined screen time alone (22,23,34,39,41,46,47,(49)(50)(51)(52), one examined reading and music listening on top of screen time (38), and one examined overall sedentary behaviour (duration of sitting) (44). Interestingly, in Jalali-Farahani's study (38), HRQL was not associated with music listening and reading-suggesting that the type of sedentary behaviour is important. Mathers'(52) cross-sectional community survey of 925 Australian 13 to 19 year olds was the most robust in using a validated 24-hour time diary; all others used stylised questionnaires.…”

“…Moreover, almost all studies included were from high-income developed countries (except for two Iranian studies) (38,49), limiting our conclusions to these nationalities and socioeconomic statuses. We included papers published in peer-reviewed journals only.…”

“…Of the five studies stratifying by sex (23,(36)(37)(38)(39), two found different results for boys and girls where the associations were only observed in boys (36,38). The participants' ages ranged from 9-19 years and most studies were conducted in high-income European countries, Australia, United States, Canada and Japan.…”

Association between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and fitness with health related quality of life in healthy children and adolescents

“…[10–12] Similarly, the relationship between physical activity, HRQoL, and different pathologies such as diabetes, [13,14] obesity, [15–17] or cancer [18,19] has also been largely studied in child and adolescent populations. Moreover, some studies have analyzed this relationship in healthy children and adolescents, suggesting a possible direct association between physical activity, fitness, and HRQoL, [20–22] and an inverse relationship between sedentary behavior and HRQoL, [23,24] but without conclusive results.…”