Physical activity, quality of life, and weight status in overweight children

Jo Ann Shoup, Michelle Gattshall, Padma Dandamudi, Paul Estabrooks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

99 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between health quality of life, physical activity, and overweight status in children aged 8-12 years old. Study participants: Participants (n = 177 overweight boys and girls) completed a validated quality of life (QOL) inventory and wore an accelerometer to objectively measure physical activity for 1 week. Methods: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's standardized growth charts were used to categorize participants as overweight (M BMI% = 95.6) or obese status (M BMI% = 99.0) while accelerometer data was used to categorize participants as meeting or not meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity. Results: Psychosocial, physical, and total QOL (all P < 0.05) were significantly lower for obese when compared to overweight participants. Less physically active children, irrespective of weight status, had significantly lower psychosocial and total QOL (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity promotion in overweight and obese children may have additional benefits to weight management that include improving QOL.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)407-412
Number of pages6
JournalQuality of Life Research
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Child obesity
  • Exercise
  • Quality of life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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