Physical activity and health-related quality of life among schoolchildren from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

• Published in: Quality of life research 2018-01, Vol.27 (1), p.205-216
• Main Authors: Salvini, Marina, Gall, Stefanie, Müller, Ivan, Walter, Cheryl, du Randt, Rosa, Steinmann, Peter, Utzinger, Jürg, Pühse, Uwe, Gerber, Markus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CHILD HEALTH; Exercise; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Public Health; Quality of life; Quality of Life Research; Self report; Sociology
• ISSN: 0962-9343; 1573-2649
• DOI: 10.1007/s11136-017-1707-1

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 selfreported 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.