Physical activity and health-related quality of life among schoolchildren from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
PURPOSE
The relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity (PA), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among disadvantaged communities in low- and middle-income countries is poorly understood. In South Africa, children from socioeconomically deprived households are at an elevated risk of sedentary lifestyles and poor HRQoL. We examined whether higher self-reported PA and higher CRF levels are associated with better HRQoL in South African schoolchildren from disadvantaged neighbourhoods.


METHODS
Overall, 832 children aged 8-12 years participated in this cross-sectional study. HRQoL was assessed through five dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-27 tool. Self-reported PA was measured using a single item of the Health-Behaviour of School-Aged Children test, and CRF with the 20-m shuttle run test.


RESULTS
Higher self-reported PA was significantly and positively related to HRQoL. Significant, but small group differences existed across all dimensions of HRQoL between low and high self-reported PA. No significant associations were observed between CRF levels and HRQoL.


CONCLUSIONS
Schoolchildren reporting PA of at least 60 min on at least 6 days a week (the recommended minimum) report higher HRQoL than their peers with lower PA levels.
['Salvini|Marina|M|', 'Gall|Stefanie|S|', 'Müller|Ivan|I|', 'Walter|Cheryl|C|', 'du Randt|Rosa|R|', 'Steinmann|Peter|P|', 'Utzinger|Jürg|J|', 'Pühse|Uwe|U|', 'Gerber|Markus|M|0000-0001-6140-8948']
D002648:Child D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D011788:Quality of Life D012574:Schools D013019:South Africa D035862:Vulnerable Populations
Physical activity Health-related quality of life Schoolchildren South Africa Cardiorespiratory fitness