Abstract
Introduction: Regular physical activity is associated with multiple health benefits for children. Evidence from cross-sectional studies suggests that physical activity is positively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The promotion of physical activity, and hence HRQoL, through a school-based intervention is therefore an important endeavor, particularly in disadvantaged areas of low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa.Methods: We designed a multicomponent physical activity intervention that was implemented over a 20-week period in 2015 in eight disadvantaged primary schools of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Overall, 758 children aged 8–13 years participated. HRQoL was measured with the 27-item KIDSCREEN questionnaire. Self-reported physical activity was assessed with a single item of the Health-Behavior of School-Aged Children test, and cardiorespiratory fitness with the 20-m shuttle run test. Post-intervention scores were predicted with mixed linear regression models, taking into consideration the clustered nature of the data.Results: Higher baseline levels as well as increasing levels of self-reported physical activity predicted all dimensions of children's HRQoL. Baseline levels and increases in cardiorespiratory fitness predicted children's self-perceived physical well-being (one of the HRQoL subscales). Participation in the multicomponent physical activity intervention did not affect children's HRQoL.Conclusion: Higher and increasing self-reported physical activity predict all assessed HRQoL dimensions, which underlines that the promotion of regular physical activity among children living in disadvantaged settings is an important public health measure. Policy makers should encourage schools to create physical activity friendly environments, while schools should implement regular physical education as proposed by the school curriculum.
Highlights
Regular physical activity is associated with multiple health benefits for children
The findings show that increases in self-reported physical activity were associated with better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at post-intervention
Previous research has shown that children who engage in regular physical activity report fewer depressive symptoms [5]
Summary
Regular physical activity is associated with multiple health benefits for children. Evidence from cross-sectional studies suggests that physical activity is positively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). With regard to children and adolescents, previous research has shown that regular physical activity is positively associated with cardiovascular health [2], stronger bones [3], better weight control [4], lower depressive symptoms [5], improved sleep [6], positive cognitive development and academic achievements [7]. There is evidence from cross-sectional studies that children who regularly engage in physical activities report higher health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [9,10,11]. HRQoL is an important target variable in child research and for health interventions [16, 17]
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