Abstract
Empirical evidence has shown that health status and life satisfaction are strongly correlated and connected to physical activity. However, no previous research has examined the association of physical activity (PA) with self-rated health (SRH) and life satisfaction (LS) among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of male adolescents (n=453; age 15–20 years) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The objective was to investigate the association between LS and SRH with PA in adolescents, taking into account socio-demographic variables. A pre-tested validated questionnaire was used to collect data using a stratified sampling technique. An estimated 354 (78.5%) adolescents reported being healthy, and 98 (21.7%) were satisfied with their lives. The logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents’ SRH was independently associated with their sense of LS (AOR=2.5, 95%CI: 1.5-4.3, P≤0.001). Also, the odds of reporting being healthy increased 2.5 times for being moderate active (95%CI: 1.5-4.3, P<0.001) and 3.4 times for being highly active (95%CI: 2.0-5.8, P≤0.001), as compared to non-active adolescents. Moreover, adjusted logistic regression showed that adolescents’ LS was independently associated with high level of their father’s education (AOR=1.8, 95%CI: 1.2-3.0, P=0.023); studying in private schools (AOR=1.9, 95%CI: 1.3-2.9, P≤0.011) and being highly active (AOR=3.0, 95%CI: 1.6-4.2, P=0.007). SRH and LS are determinants of each other, and both variables were independently associated with PA levels. Programs that increase PA may promote life satisfaction and health status in the adolescent population. Therefore, it is important to promote physical activity amongst them, create a sport-friendly environment, and engage adolescents in physical activity during their free time by broadening access to more sports classes and other forms of assistance. This is also an important method of enhancing adolescents’ life satisfaction and better health.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely being the absence of disease or infirmity” [1], so health is multidimensional, and subjectivity is an aspect of its measurement
MATERIAL AND METHODS There is a growing global interest in investigating adolescent health and their perspective about life satisfaction and health behaviors and outcomSetus.dTyhde easimigonf this investigation was to estimate the independent associations of physical activity with life satisfaction and perceived hTehailsthcsrtoastuss-saemcotinognaadl oslteusdcyenwtsaisn SpaeurfdoirAmreadbioa.n a sample of male adolescents studying in high schools, with an age range of 15–20 years, residents in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia
Findings from this study corroborate previous international research suggesting a positive connection between self-rated health (SRH) and life satisfaction (LS) with physical activity
Summary
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely being the absence of disease or infirmity” [1], so health is multidimensional, and subjectivity is an aspect of its measurement. Self-rated health (SRH) and life satisfaction (LS) reflects an individual’s reflective judgment of the degree to which his or her life is going well. Perceptions that one can have about their health and life may add value to further decisions regarding lifestyle behavior, such as physical activity [3]. Physical activity is an important determinant of people’s health and quality of life and is recognized as an important factor in the primary and secondary prevention of non-communicable diseases. Regular participation in physical activity is associated with a range of positive mental health-relaitnedeopuetcnodmeenst [a6s].sPohcyiasitcioanl sacotifviptyhyisspicoasiltiavcetliyviatsysowcitahteldifewisthatliisfefascattiiosfnacatinodn panedrcbeeivtteedr qhueaaliltyhosftalitfues[7a–m9]o. Physical activity is associated with adolescents’ health, well-being, and life satisfaction [14–17]. Despite the importance of these findings, less is known about the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction and perceived health in Saudi Arabia
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