The Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Primary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in childhood is a multidimensional construct with many sub dimensions of subjective experience, including physical activity (PA), psychological well-being, social interaction, and school performance, that represents a fundamental health outcome to assess a child’s physical and psycho-social functioning. Our study aims to explore the potential predictors of children’s health-related quality of life, using a convenience sample from the Imola Active Break Study (I-MOVE), considering demographic, anthropometric measures, PA level measured by Actigraph accelerometers, parent-reported/self-reported HRQoL, and body image. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 151 primary school children in Italy. HRQoL was assessed using the Italian version 4.0 of the Paediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) questionnaire. Results: Children who spent more time partaking in moderate PA were associated with a higher total PedsQL score (p < 0.03). Mother’s body mass index (BMI) was the only variable statistically significant associated with the physical health domain of PedsQL. Parent’s proxy-report perception concerning children’s psychosocial health was statistically relevant. The children’s gender, age, and BMI had no association with any of the HRQoL outcomes. Discussion: Parent proxy-report psychosocial health and mother’s BMI should be considered as predictors of HRQoL for the psychosocial and physical domain. PA should be implemented in order to improve the HRQoL of primary school children.

Children Are Back to School, but Is Play Still in Lockdown? Play Experiences, Social Interactions, and Children’s Quality of Life in Primary Education in the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020

“…Considering the activities that are not allowed, sports and other physical play were the first activities that seem to have been restricted. This type of play should be encouraged, considering the need to promote healthy lifestyles during childhood to prevent child obesity and a sedentary lifestyle [ 37 ], and promote HRQOL [ 38 ]. The evidence before the pandemic is clear in stating that children did not achieve the recommended daily amount of physical activity [ 37 ].…”

Aptitud física en niños y adolescentes categorizados por nivel de masa grasa

“…En ese contexto, la obesidad y el sobrepeso son pro-blemas especialmente preocupantes durante la infancia y la adolescencia a nivel mundial 9 , y específicamente para Chile, dado que, según el Ministerio de Salud, la prevalencia de sobrepeso es 39,8% y de obesidad 31,2 % 10 . En consecuencia, al parecer las complicaciones relacionadas con el exceso de grasa corporal y el sedentarismo representan un importante problema de salud pública en diversos países y específicamente en Chile, por lo que estudiar el desempeño de la Apf en niños y adolescentes con adecuados y elevados niveles de masa grasa puede ser relevante, puesto que el exceso de grasa corporal se asocia a graves consecuencias sobre la salud 11 , bajos niveles de ApF 12,13 y un aumento significativo del riesgo de mortalidad prematura 14,15 .…”

The Role of Physical Activity in the Relationship between Satisfaction with Life and Health-Related Quality of Life in School-Age Adolescents

“…Regarding physical activity volume, previous studies found that the higher the physical activity level, the higher the HRQoL [ 23 ]. Regarding physical activity intensity and improvement in HRQoL, a previous study showed that children who spent more time practicing moderate PA were associated with higher HRQoL scores [ 24 ]. In the same vein, a study that explore the commitment of physical activity recommendations found that meeting combinations of screen time with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were related to higher HRQoL [ 25 ].…”