Body size, form, composition, and a healthy lifestyle associates with health-related quality of life among Portuguese children

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the relationship between body size, form, and composition, and children's lifestyle on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). MethodsThis cross-sectional study comprised 1333 children (9.05 +/- 0.75 years; 683 females) living in mainland Portugal. Objective anthropometric measures were collected. Parents answered a standardized questionnaire related with children's lifestyle (e.g., sport participation, screen- and sleep-time) and family socioeconomic status (e.g., parental education). HRQoL was measured using the Portuguese version of the KIDSCREEN-27. Scores were categorized into low and high using a sex-specific normative cut-off from European children. A healthier score was created including positive scores for body weight, abdominal obesity, sport participation, sleep- and screen-time. ResultsBody size, form and composition were correlated with children's physical wellbeing. However, sex differences were found in which parameters were associated with wellbeing. Among boys, the body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold were most correlated with wellbeing, while waist circumference and subscapular skinfold showed the strongest correlations for girls. Sleep duration and sport participation revealed a significant relationship with girls' HRQoL. A logistic regression analysis (adjusted for parental education) revealed that boys scoring 4 or 5 in the healthier index had an increased likelihood of high HRQoL level compared to those fulfilling none. ConclusionsFuture programs aimed at reducing obesity, particularly central obesity, and incorporating multiple health indicators and behaviors, such as sport participation and sleep duration may help improve children's health and wellbeing.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the relationship between body size, form, and composition, lifestyle factors, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children. The findings revealed that body weight, abdominal obesity, sport participation, sleep duration, and screen time were associated with children's HRQoL. There were sex differences in the specific parameters that were correlated with well-being. Sleep duration and sport participation were found to have a significant relationship with girls' HRQoL. Boys scoring higher in a healthier index had a higher likelihood of having a high HRQoL level. Future programs should focus on reducing obesity, especially central obesity, and incorporating various health indicators and behaviors to improve children's health and well-being.