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Health-related quality of life, BMI and physical activity among US adults (⩾18 years): National Physical Activity and Weight Loss Survey, 2002

International Journal of Obesity volume 31, pages 321–327 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To examine the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical activity (PA).

Methods:

Cross-sectional data were obtained via a national telephone survey from 9173 respondents (30.9% response rate; 51.4% cooperation rate). Four indicators of HRQOL were measured: self-rated health, physically unhealthy days, mentally unhealthy days and activity limitation days. Prevalence estimates were calculated by body mass index (BMI) category and PA level. Logistic regression evaluated BMI as an effect modifier of the relationship between HRQOL and PA.

Results:

Inactive adults reported more fair to poor HRQOL than active adults, regardless of BMI category (P<0.001). BMI did not modify the association between PA and any of the four HRQOL indicators.

Conclusion:

Prevalence of low HRQOL is inversely related to PA participation, and the relationship is not altered by BMI status. Regardless of their weight status, adults should be encouraged to engage in PA.

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Acknowledgements

Rosemarie Kobau and David Moriarty, Division of Adult and Community Health, NCCDPHP, CDC provided comments on earlier versions of the manuscript. This research was funded by a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48/CCU409664).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Atlanta, GA, USA

    J Kruger, D A Jones & H W Kohl III

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    H R Bowles

  3. Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    B E Ainsworth

Authors
  1. J Kruger
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  2. H R Bowles
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  3. D A Jones
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  4. B E Ainsworth
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  5. H W Kohl III
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J Kruger.

Additional information

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USDHHS or the US Government.

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Kruger, J., Bowles, H., Jones, D. et al. Health-related quality of life, BMI and physical activity among US adults (⩾18 years): National Physical Activity and Weight Loss Survey, 2002. Int J Obes 31, 321–327 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803386

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