Food intake, physical activity and quality of life among children and youth

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Emília Martins ◽  
Rosina Fernandes ◽  
Francisco Mendes ◽  
Cátia Magalhães ◽  
Patrícia Araújo

BACKGROUND: The health-related quality of life construct (QoL) implies a relationship with eating habits (EA) and physical activity (PA). Sociodemographic and anthropometric variables (gender, age and Body Mass Index - BMI) are highlighted in the definition of healthy lifestyle habits promotion strategies. OBJECTIVE: We aim to characterize and relate PA, EA and QoL in children/youth and explore gender, age and BMI influences. METHODS: It is a non-experimental study, with 337 children/youth, ages between 8 and 17 years (12.61±2.96), mostly from the rural inland of Portugal. In data collection we used a sociodemographic and anthropometric questionnaire, a weekly register table of EA and Kid-Kindl (QoL). Statistical analysis (p <  0.05) were performed in SPSS-IBM 25. RESULTS: Lower BMI was associated with better EA (p <  0.001), PA (p <  0.05) and self-esteem (p <  0.01) and worse scores on family subscale of QoL. Female showed higher fruit intake (p <  0.05). The older has shown better results. PA is positively correlated with QoL (p <  0.01) and EA (p <  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to explore other relevant social and family dimensions, to promote intervention programs with parents, school and community, as well as healthy practices policies. The intervention in these age groups is critical for a longer-term impact in improving healthy life habits.

Author(s):  
José I. Calzada-Rodríguez ◽  
Ángel M. Denche-Zamorano ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
María Mendoza-Muñoz ◽  
Jorge Carlos-Vivas ◽  
...  

The study of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents has important implications in terms of policy, education, and health. Data on the time spent in physical activity (PA) and in sedentary activities in this population are worrying. We aim to analyze possible differences in HRQoL and PA levels between sexes and age groups in Spanish students aged between 8 and 14 years, as well as to assess the relationship between HRQoL and the frequency of PA in this population. A total of 3197 participants (1610 boys and 1587 girls) from 8 to 14 years old were recruited. Mquality and Mapping Child Health Utility instrument (Chu9d) were used as HRQoL indicators. A medium positive association between PA and HRQoL concerning the Spanish school population was found. HRQoL was higher among students aged 8 to 12 than 13 to 14. Moreover, when children start secondary education, both sexes seem to lose the quality of life. Similarly, PA decreases among girls over the years, although it seems to increase among boys. Thus, PA levels and HRQoL are directly associated in Spanish schoolchildren aged between 8 and 14 years. However, this HRQoL decreases in children over the years. Practical implications include the need to support education and physical activity programs to improve HRQoL in children and adolescents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davorina Petek ◽  
Marija Petek-Ster ◽  
Ksenija Tusek-Bunc

AbstractBackgroundHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) is measuring a patient’s experience of his health status and represents an outcome of medical interventions. Existing data proves that a healthy lifestyle is positively associated with HRQoL in all age groups. Patients with a high risk for cardiovascular disease typically led an unhealthy lifestyle combined with risk diseases. We aimed to analyse these characteristics and their reflection in HRQoL.MethodsA cross-sectional study in 36 family practices, stratified by location and size. Each practice invited 30 high-risk patients from the register. Data were obtained from medical records and patient questionnaire. The EQ-5D questionnaire and the VAS scale were used for measuring the patient’s HRQoL as an independent variable.Results871 patients (80.6% response rate) were included in the analysis. 60.0% had 3-4 uncontrolled risk factors for CVD. The average VAS scale was 63.2 (SD 19.4). The correlation of EQ-5D was found in the number of visits in the practice (r=-0.31, p<0.001), the socioeconomic status (r=-0.25, p=0.001), age (r=-0.27, p=0.001) and healthy diet (r=0.20, p=0.006). In a multivariate model, only physical activity among lifestyle characteristics was an independent predictor of HRQoL (p=0.001, t=3.3), along with the frequency of visits (p<0.001, t=-5.3) and age (p=0.025, t=-2.2).ConclusionThis study has been performed on a specific group of patients, not being “really sick”, but having less optimal lifestyle in many cases. Encouragement to improve or keep healthy lifestyle, especially physical activity, is important, not only to lower the risk for CVD, but also to improve HRQoL.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e047933
Author(s):  
Fatima Nari ◽  
Wonjeong Jeong ◽  
Bich Na Jang ◽  
Hyeon Ji Lee ◽  
Eun-Cheol Park

ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the influence of changes in the aggregate score of healthy lifestyle factors on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and overall quality of life (QOL) in the Korean older adult population.DesignThis study used a longitudinal design.Setting and participantsData on 9474 participants aged 45 years or older were extracted from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging for the period 2006–2016. A composite score of four lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, physical activity and body mass index) was calculated, and biennial changes in aggregate score were computed.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were HRQOL and QOL.ResultsGeneralised estimating equation analysis results showed that those with healthy lifestyle score changes from ‘Low–High’ (β =−0.987, p=0.002; β =−1.288, p<0.0001), ‘High–Low’ (β =−1.281, p<0.0001; β =−1.952, p<0.0001) and ‘Low–Low’ (β =−1.552, p<0.0001; β =−2.398, p<0.0001) groups were more likely to be have lower HRQOL and QOL estimates than those in ‘High–High’ group. Female gender, older age and depression had a more negative impact on HRQOL, while male gender and younger age had a more negative impact on QOL, especially in the Low–Low group. The relationship between changes in scores and HRQOL and QOL varied across different elements of healthy lifestyle scores. Changes in physical activity, drinking and smoking status were significantly associated with lower HRQOL and QOL.ConclusionThe findings suggest an association between a low healthy lifestyle score and poor quality of life, in both general and health-related aspects. Strategies targeting the Korean ageing demographic to promote a healthier lifestyle should be encouraged.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Davorina Petek ◽  
Marija Petek-Ster ◽  
Ksenija Tusek-Bunc

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is measuring a patient’s experience of his health status and represents an outcome of medical interventions. Existing data proves that a healthy lifestyle is positively associated with HRQoL in all age groups. Patients with a high risk for cardiovascular disease typically led an unhealthy lifestyle combined with risk diseases. We aimed to analyse these characteristics and their reflection in HRQoL. Methods A cross-sectional study in 36 family practices, stratified by location and size. Each practice invited 30 high-risk patients from the register. Data were obtained from medical records and patient questionnaire. The EQ-5D questionnaire and the VAS scale were used for measuring the patient’s HRQoL as an independent variable. Results 871 patients (80.6% response rate) were included in the analysis. 60.0% had 3-4 uncontrolled risk factors for CVD. The average VAS scale was 63.2 (SD 19.4). The correlation of EQ-5D was found in the number of visits in the practice (r=-0.31, p<0.001), the socioeconomic status (r=-0.25, p=0.001), age (r=-0.27, p=0.001) and healthy diet (r=0.20, p=0.006). In a multivariate model, only physical activity among lifestyle characteristics was an independent predictor of HRQoL (p=0.001, t=3.3), along with the frequency of visits (p<0.001, t=-5.3) and age (p=0.025, t=-2.2). Conclusion This study has been performed on a specific group of patients, not being “really sick”, but having less optimal lifestyle in many cases. Encouragement to improve or keep healthy lifestyle, especially physical activity, is important, not only to lower the risk for CVD, but also to improve HRQoL.


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