Is the association of weight disorders with perceived health status and life satisfaction independent of physical activity in children and adolescents? The CASPIAN-IV Study

Nazgol Motamed-Gorji, Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ramin Heshmat, Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mostafa Qorbani, Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh, Department of Pediatrics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Akbar Soltani, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Gita Shafiee, Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hamid Asayesh, Department of Medical Emergencies, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
Gelayol Ardalan, Child Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Nassim Matin, Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Armita Mahdavi Gorabi, Department of Basic and Clinical Research, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahla Alizadeh, Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
Roya Kelishadi, Child Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) and weight status have been suggested as predictors of life satisfaction (LS) and perceived health status (PHS). Therefore the present study aims to investigate and compare the impacts of body mass index (BMI) and PA on LS and PHS in a population of Iranian children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted in 2011-12 as a nationwide population-based study among 14 880 students of age 6-18 years. Students were selected via a multistage cluster sampling method from 30 provinces of Iran. Information on demographics, PA, PHS and LS was obtained using the World Health Organization Global School-based Student Health Survey (WHO-GSHS) questionnaire. PA values were considered as low (<2 /week), moderate (2-4 h/week) and high (>2 h/week). RESULTS: The current study has a participation rate of 90.6% (50.8% boys). PA was significantly associated with both LS and PHS [odds ratio (OR), 1.37 in both), while in BMI, this association was significant for only PHS (in underweight: OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.57-0.75; in excess weight: OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.73-0.93). In the combined group of BMI-PA, the influence of PA prevailed over the impact of BMI on PHS and LS, and therefore, PA was found to be the stronger factor. CONCLUSION: Although BMI and PA could both significantly impact LS and PHS, the stronger influence of PA on LS and PHS suggests that upgrading the 'activity level' of children and adolescents should be underscored and included on the agenda, rather than merely focusing on their BMI and weight status.

Medical Subject Headings

Adolescent; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Female; Health Status; Health Surveys; Humans; Iran (epidemiology); Male; Personal Satisfaction; Population Surveillance (methods); Schools; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires

Publication Date

6-1-2019

Publication Title

Journal of tropical pediatrics

E-ISSN

1465-3664

Volume

65

Issue

3

First Page

249

Last Page

263

PubMed ID

30053204

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/tropej/fmy042

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