Abstract
BackgroundThere is limited data examining the association of combined fitness and central obesity with health related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults. We examined the association of combined cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in the form of a fit-fat index (FFI) with the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) HRQoL scores in United States Navy servicemen.MethodsAs part of a health fitness assessment, a total of 709 healthy males aged 18–49 years completed a submaximal exercise test, WHtR measurement, and HRQoL survey (SF-12v2) between 2004 and 2006. FFI level was classified into thirds with the lowest FFI tertile serving as the referent group. PCS and MCS scores ≥50 were taken to indicate average or better. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI).ResultsThe prevalence of average or better HRQoL scores was lowest in the referent FFI tertile, PCS 60.2 % and MCS 57.6 %. Compared with the lowest FFI group in multivariate analyses, the OR (95 % CI) of having average or better PCS was 1.63 (1.09–2.42) and 3.12 (1.95–4.99) for moderate and high FFI groups respectively; MCS was 1.70 (1.13–2.55) and 4.89 (3.03–7.89) for moderate and high FFI groups respectively (all P < 0.001). Consistent and progressive independent associations were observed between age and MCS, and also between CRF and MCS.ConclusionAmong males in the United States Navy, higher levels of FFI were independently and more consistently associated with having average or better HRQoL (physical and mental) than other known predictors of HRQoL.
Highlights
There is limited data examining the association of combined fitness and central obesity with health related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults
Two objective physical fitness measures that have been independently associated with various health outcomes, including HRQoL, are cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)
Two recent studies investigated the relationship of WHtR with HRQoL; one found an independent association between WHtR and mental HRQoL when controlling for lifestyle factors but not when accounting for the existence of any chronic condition [7], while the other study revealed that a ~12 % variation in physical HRQoL could be attributed to changes in WHtR [28]
Summary
There is limited data examining the association of combined fitness and central obesity with health related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults. The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity [1]” In accordance with this definition, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to be one of the best indicators of an individual’s or group’s perceived physical and mental health over time [2]. Two objective physical fitness measures that have been independently associated with various health outcomes, including HRQoL, are cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Recent systematic reviews and metaanalyses have demonstrated WHtR to be a better predictor of cardiometabolic health outcomes, diabetes, and mortality than other anthropometric adiposity indicators [25,26,27]. Controlled trials have investigated the relative contributions of laboratory measured CRF and adiposity in older, obese and chronically diseased adults [21, 22, 29, 30] and found that small to moderate improvements in one or both measures were associated with higher physical HRQoL scores, with markedly concomitant improvements appearing to influence physical HRQoL more so
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call