Social and health related risk factors for low cardio respiratory fitness in German adolescents: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS)

Aim

A high cardio respiratory fitness level (CRF) has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. It is the objective of these analyses to compare risk factors for low CRF between girls and boys and to investigate whether the impact of social inequality on CRF can fully be explained by the known risk factors for low CRF.

Subjects and methods

German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) was a cross-sectional population representative study; the present analyses include 5,908 participants (11–17 years) in whom CRF was measured by a submaximal cycle ergometer test. The odds ratios (OR) from sex stratified, age-adjusted logistic regression models analysing the chance of low CRF were calculated and a multivariate logistic regression model was built.

Results

Multivariate models showed that low CRF was associated with high body fat (girls: OR 3.53; 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 2.71-4.59; boys OR 6.69; 95 % CI 3.86–11.6), physical inactivity (girls: OR 3.09; 95 % CI 2.12–5.52; boys OR 4.25; 95 % CI 2.53–7.15) and extensive media use. Beyond these factors, adjusted analyses showed that low socio-economic status in boys and two-sided migration background in girls were associated with low CRF.

Conclusion

CRF in German youths shows social inequality and cultural and sex differences which cannot fully be explained by the known risk factors for low CRF. Cardiovascular prevention should consider social inequality and should involve measures against overweight, lack of physical activity and abundance of sedentary activities.     

The effect of weight status, lifestyle, and body image perception on health-related quality of life in children: a quantile approach

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of excess weight, lifestyle factors, and body image on HRQoL in a sample of school-aged children.

Methods

Cross-sectional data of 4,338 thirteen-year-old children were collected in 2007 as part of the So.N.I.A project, a nutritional surveillance study in a northern Italian region. A two-stage sampling design was used in order to gain a Health District representative sample of the regional population. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-Y questionnaire completed by the children at school. The association between weight categories, defined by means of the International Obesity Task Force cut points, physical exercise, and body image perception and HRQoL as measured by the EQ-Visual Analogue Scale was studied by means of a quantile regression analysis.

Results

Of the participants, 891 (20.5 %) and 210 (4.84 %) were overweight and obese, respectively, with 1,922 (44.3 %) children exercising <2 h per week. Results from the quantile regression showed a decreased HRQoL for girls compared with boys, overweight or obese children who do little weekly exercise, and body image dissatisfaction, especially in the lower tail of the VAS distribution.

Conclusions

Excess weight, sedentary behavior, and an unsatisfactory self-perception are associated with reduced HRQoL in this population-based sample. Quantile regression can help to highlight differences in the effects along all of the outcome distribution.     

The relationship between body mass index and health-related quality of life in urban disadvantaged children

Introduction

The study’s aim was to establish, for children living in urban disadvantage, the nature and extent of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), including the role of individual and family factors in influencing this relationship.

Methods

Within the context of a longitudinal design, 255 children aged 7–12 years (50 % male) self-reported their HRQoL (Kidscreen-27) and had their height and weight measured at year one and two. One parent/guardian for each child was also assessed at year one with the OSLO Social Support Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Regression analysis was also conducted.

Results

BMI was weakly inversely associated with ‘total HRQoL’ (r = ?.15, p < .05), ‘physical well-being’ and ‘autonomy and parent relations’. Significant differences were found between normal weight and obese children on all but the latter dimension. Neither weight group, however, fell below the average European HRQoL range. BMI predicted physical well-being a year later and vice versa, whilst autonomy and parent relations also predicted BMI a year later. In terms of ‘overweight’ children (38 %), those approaching adolescence had poorer physical and school well-being than younger children, and those whose parents had moderate-to-severe levels of depression fared worse on school well-being than children whose parents were not depressed.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that obesity programmes could aim to prevent/reduce obesity and optimise HRQoL in urban disadvantaged preadolescent children whilst also targeting parental mental health difficulties. Future research should examine mediators of the effect of BMI on HRQoL.     

Body mass index and health-related quality of life in apparently healthy individuals

Purpose

Obesity is known to be associated with a range of chronic medical comorbidities, but little is known about the impact of overweight and obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons without chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess HRQoL, body mass index (BMI) and health behavior patterns in a community sample of subjects who had no long-lasting medical comorbidities

Methods

We assessed HRQoL in 1,187 apparently healthy individuals (mean age 57 ± 7 years), of whom 24 % were classified as normal weight, 49 % as overweight, 20 % as obese and 7 % as very obese. Two different instruments of HRQoL were used: the generic Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire and the preference-based instrument EuroQol (EQ-5D).

Results

All physical components of the SF-36 decreased linearly according to BMI categories in women. In men, only poorer physical functioning scale showed linearity with rising BMI. Scores on the mental components of the SF-36 did not differ by BMI categories in either gender. The EQ-5D index and EuroQol visual analogue scale scores decreased linearly with rising BMI only in women.

Conclusions

In apparently healthy middle-aged subjects, physical HRQoL decreases with increasing level of BMI and more so in women than in men. Mental components of HRQoL do not differ between the categories of BMI in either gender.     

Screen time and physical activity behaviours are associated with health-related quality of life in Australian adolescents

Purpose

To explore the cross-sectional relationships between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical activity (PA) behaviours and screen-based media (SBM) use among a sample of Australian adolescents.

Methods

Data came from baseline measures collected for the It??s Your Move! community-based obesity prevention intervention. Questionnaire data on sociodemographics, PA, SBM and HRQoL were collected from 3,040 students (56% boys) aged 11?C18?years in grade levels 7?C11 in 12 secondary schools. Anthropometric data were measured.

Results

The highest level of PA at recess, lunchtime and after school was associated with higher HRQoL scores (boys, by 5.3, 8.1, 6.3 points; girls, by 4.2, 6.1, 8.2 points) compared with not being active during these periods. Exceeding 2?h of SBM use each day was associated with significantly lower HRQoL scores (boys, by 3.2 points; girls, by 4.0 points). Adolescents who were physically active and low SBM users on school days had higher HRQoL scores (boys, by 6.6 points; girls, by 7.8 points) compared with those who were not physically active every school day and high SBM users on school days.

Conclusions

Several of the relationships between low PA and high SBM use and HRQoL were comparable to those previously observed between chronic disease conditions and HRQoL, indicating that these behaviours deserve substantial attention.     

Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and obesity among Chinese children

Objective

To investigate the relationships of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) with the risk of overweight/obesity in Chinese schoolchildren.

Methods

A total of 1795 children aged 8-13 years at baseline were followed-up for 18 months from 2006 to 2008 in Guangzhou, China. Children were categorized as “normal weight”, “overweight”, and “obese” using Chinese obesity cut-off points. Data on self-reported PA were obtained. CRF was determined by the 20-meter multistage fitness test, and the sex-specific median values were set as the cut-off points for the classification of high and low CRF.

Results

Significantly higher CRF was found in children with normal weight (from 6.55 to 8.65 ml/kg/min) or physically active children (from 0.42 to 1.22 ml/kg/min) compared with the reference group. CRF was inversely associated with the kg/m² change in BMI during the follow-up period (β = − 0.63 kg/m² and − 0.64 kg/m² for boys and girls, respectively, both p < 0.001). Significant association of baseline CRF with overweight/obesity was found in boys (odds ratio (OR) 8.71; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.59-29.26, p < 0.001), whereas the association was marginally insignificant in girls (OR 6.87; 95% CI 0.96-49.09, p = 0.055).

Conclusions

The results showed a strong negative association between CRF levels and children's BMI and weight gain.     

Relationship of parental health-related behaviours and physical fitness in girls and boys

Aim

Physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are known to be closely connected. Various environmental and biological constraints have been shown to influence children’s PA with parents being among strong determinants of their children’s PA behaviour. However, little is known about parental influence on PF in children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the influence of parental health-related behaviours and attitudes on PF in boys and girls.

Subjects and methods

Baseline data of 1,875 primary school children (7.1?±?0.6 years; 50 % male) were included in the analyses. Lateral jumping performance was used as a proxy for whole-body coordination and the 6-min run for cardiovascular fitness. Parental health-related behaviours, attitudes and sociodemographic variables were assessed via questionnaire. Regression analyses, adjusting for age and BMI, were performed separately for boys and girls.

Results

The final models of the regression analyses showed that children’s age and BMI are significantly related to PF. Mothers’ self-efficacy to encourage their children to be active is significantly associated with boys’ coordination and cardiovascular fitness and girls’ coordination. Mothers’ PA affects PF in boys, not in girls. Maternal smoking has a significantly negative effect on both boys’ and girls’ cardiovascular fitness.

Conclusion

This study shows that parental health-related behaviours and self-efficacy to encourage their children to be active affect children’s PF. Influencing factors, however, differ in girls and boys, and mothers seem especially influential.     

Changes in self-reported and parent-reported health-related quality of life in overweight children and adolescents participating in an outpatient training: findings from a 12-month follow-up study

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was found to improve in participants of weight management interventions. However, information on moderately overweight youth as well as on maintaining HRQoL improvements following treatment is sparse. We studied the HRQoL of 74 overweight, but not obese participants (32.4% male, mean age?=?11.61?±?1.70 SD) of a comprehensive and effective six-month outpatient training at four time-points up to 12 months after end of treatment.

Methods

HRQoL was measured by self-report and proxy-report versions of the generic German KINDL-R, including six sub domains, and an obesity-specific additional module. Changes in original and z-standardized scores were analyzed by (2×4) doubly multivariate analysis of variance. This was done separately for self- and proxy-reported HRQoL, taking into account further socio-demographic background variables and social desirability. Additionally, correlations between changes in HRQoL scores and changes in zBMI were examined.

Results

There were significant multivariate time effects for self-reported and proxy-reported HRQoL and a significant time-gender interaction in self-reports revealed (p?<?.05). Improvements in weight-specific HRQoL were evident during treatment (partial η²?=?0.14-0.19). Generic HRQoL further increased after end of treatment. The largest effects were found on the dimension self-esteem (partial η²?=?0.08-0.09 for proxy- and self-reported z-scores, respectively). Correlations with changes in weight were gender-specific, and weight reduction was only associated with HRQoL improvements in girls.

Conclusions

Positive effects of outpatient training on generic and weight-specific HRQoL of moderately overweight (not obese) children and adolescents could be demonstrated. Improvements in HRQoL were not consistently bound to weight reduction. While changes in weight-specific HRQoL were more immediate, generic HRQoL further increased after treatment ended. An extended follow-up may therefore be needed to scrutinize HRQoL improvements due to weight management.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov NCT00422916     

Different healthy habits between northern and southern Spanish school children

Aim

Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as geographical location. The aims of this study were to describe and compare healthy habits within two populations of sixth-grade primary school children (aged 11–12 years) from northern and southern Spain.

Subjects and methods

A cross-sectional study using two representative samples of school children was conducted. Participants came from Logroño (n = 329) in the north and Granada (n = 284) in the south of Spain. Socio-demographic and anthropometric variables, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, aerobic fitness, and healthy lifestyles were recorded.

Results

Boys reported a higher level of physical activity and aerobic fitness than girls (p = 0.000). Southern school children reported significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (♀: p = 0.041; ♂: p = 0.008), lower aerobic fitness (♀: p = 0.000; ♂: p = 0.042) and hours of nightly sleep (♀: p = 0.008, ♂: p = 0.007) than northern school children. Southern boys also reported lower levels of physical activity (p = 0.013). There were slight or moderate correlations among all habits measured (physical activity, diet, screen and sleep time). Additionally, the physical activity level was inversely related to weight status. Overweight and obese northern boys reported less physical activity than healthy-weight northern boys (p = 0.020) and overweight and obese southern girls reported less physical activity than healthy-weight southern girls (p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Results showed differences in physical activity, eating and sleep habits, and aerobic fitness according to geographical location. The relationships found among lifestyle habits indicate the need for health promotion interventions nationally and considering the differences discussed here.

     

Psychische Gesundheit von übergewichtigen und adipösen Jugendlichen unter Berücksichtigung von Sozialstatus und Schulbildung

Background

International studies showed that overweight and obese adolescents are more likely to have mental health problems compared to normal weight peers.

Objectives

This study analyses the relation between overweight/obesity and mental health problems among adolescents in Germany as well as potential modifying factors of this relation.

Materials and Methods

Data base was a subsample of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS, n?=?6,813, 11–17 years) which was conducted by the Robert Koch Institute from May 2003 to May 2006. Body height and weight were measured in a standardised manner and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Indications of mental health problems and strengths were collected with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in the following areas: emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer relationship problems and prosocial behaviour. Socio-economic status (SES) and education are analysed as modifying variables. Prevalence and odds ratios with 95?% confidence intervals were calculated by binary logistic regression.

Results

Obese boys and overweight and obese girls showed more indications of mental health problems compared to normal weight peers. The most common problem areas were conduct problems and peer relationship problems. Obese girls were also more likely to show indications of emotional symptoms compared to normal weight girls. The age stratified analysis showed that the differences in the occourrence of mental health problems between normal weight and obese boys as well as between normal weight and overweight/obese girls are more pronounced aged 11 to 13 years than aged 14 to 17 years. The results on the impact of SES and education showed that in girls, SES had a modyfying impact on the relation between overweight/obesity and mental health problems in favour of the high SES group. In boys, SES only had a modifying impact on the relation between overweight and mental health problems, but here in favour of the low SES group. Only in girls education had a modifying impact on the relation between obesity and mental health problems in favour of the low education group.

Conclusion

In adolescence, overweight and especially obesity go along with a higher risk for mental health problems. In the context of prevention measures and care services for overweight and obesity at a young age, psychosocial aspects should be considered.     

Trends of Underweight and Overweight/Obesity Among Japanese Schoolchildren From 2003 to 2012, Defined by Body Mass Index and Percentage Overweight Cutoffs

Background

We investigated the prevalence and trends of underweight and overweight/obesity in a population-based sample of Japanese schoolchildren from 2003 to 2012, defined by body mass index (BMI) and percentage overweight (POW).

Methods

Subjects comprised fourth and seventh graders from the town of Ina, Japan, from 2003 to 2012. The height and weight of each subject were measured. Children were classified as underweight, normal weight, or overweight/obese using two criteria: BMI cutoff points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force and cutoffs based on POW in Japan.

Results

Data from 4367 fourth graders and 3724 seventh graders were analyzed. The prevalence of underweight and overweight as defined by POW criteria were lower than those based on BMI criteria. There was a decrease in the prevalence of overweight among fourth-grade boys and girls and seventh-grade girls according to BMI; this decrease was also observed when POW criteria were used for the definition of overweight.

Conclusions

The prevalence and trends of both underweight and overweight as defined by POW were underestimated among Japanese schoolchildren compared to those determined using BMI. The results of this study also suggest that trends in underweight and overweight/obesity using POW criteria are similar to those based on BMI criteria among schoolchildren in Japan.Key words: body mass index, percentage overweight, schoolchildren, secular trends, Japanese     

Reliability and validity of the Iranian version of the QAPACE in adolescents

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Iranian version of the Quantification de l’Activite Physique en Altitude Chez les Enfants (QAPACE) in adolescents.

Methods

After linguistic validation, the Iranian version of the QAPACE was completed by 359 (52.4 % girls) schoolchildren, aged 15–18 years. Test–retest reliability of the questionnaire was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). For validation purposes, two methods were used for (1) the correlation between VO_2peak and the DEE and (2) known-group validity, which was examined by comparing the normal weight adolescents and those who were overweight/obese.

Results

ICCs for test–retest ranged from 0.79 to 0.98. The mean scores in test–retest surveys for total score and all of the subscores were significant (p < 0.05). Sex-specific analysis showed a significant correlation between VO_2peak and DEE over 12-month, school, and vacation periods in girls (p < 0.05). The mean values for all activities except for transportation, other activities in school, personal artistic activities, sport competition, and home activities were significantly lower in overweight/obese group than normal group.

Conclusion

Our results support the initial reliability and validity of the Iranian version of QAPACE as a daily physical activity measure in adolescents.     

Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters, cigarette use, and physical health-related quality of life

Purpose

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, particularly numbing and hyperarousal symptoms, are related to poor physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Tobacco dependence is also associated with poor HRQoL, and individuals with PTSD may smoke at higher rates than the general population. Our study aimed to examine the impact of quitting smoking and changes in PTSD symptoms over time on changes in physical HRQoL.

Methods

The study used archival data from enrollees (N = 943) in a smoking cessation clinical trial for veterans with PTSD (VA Cooperative study #519).

Results

Two of the physical HRQoL domains were sensitive to changes in PTSD symptoms over time: General Health and Vitality.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that particular physical HRQoL domains may be subject to improvement if PTSD symptoms decrease over time.     

Prevalence of obesity,overweight and thinness in Australian children and adolescents by socioeconomic status and ethnic/cultural group in 2006 and 2012

Objectives

To study the prevalence of obesity, overweight and thinness, by sex, SES and ethnic background in 2006 and 2012.

Methods

Large national surveys of school students were conducted. Height/weight was measured. The outcomes were height, weight, BMI, thinness, overweight and obesity (IOTF), SES and ethnicity.

Results

Obesity in 2006 and 2012 in boys and girls was 7.5 and 7.1 %, and 5.8 and 5.6 %; being overweight was 17.7 and 18.5 %, and 18.9 and 18.7 %; thinness was 3.8 and 4.6 %, and 5.0 and 6.0 %. Independent predictors of obesity in 2006 and 2012 were being Pacific Islander (OR 5.03, 5.66), Middle Eastern (OR 3.64, 1.50), aboriginal (OR 2.43 in 2012 only), African (OR 1.99 2012 only), Southern European (OR 1.75, 1.72), low SES (OR 2.22, 2.20), middle SES (OR 1.52, 1.60), female (OR 0.77, 0.82) and adolescent (OR 1.08, 2012 only). Predictors of thinness in 2006 and 2012 were ethnicity: Indian (OR 5.29, 1.96), African (OR 2.71, 2006 only), Asian (OR 1.69, 1.57) and female (OR 1.30, 1.27).

Conclusions

The predictors of obesity and thinness were ethnically based, suggesting culturally appropriate interventions in socially and economically disadvantaged communities.     

Socioeconomic gradient shifts in health-related behaviour among Slovak adolescents between 1998 and 2006

Objectives

We aimed to assess the development of the socioeconomic gradient in health-related behaviour (HRB) among Slovak adolescents between 1998 and 2006.

Methods

Data were collected in 1998 (n = 2,616; 14.9 ± 0.6 years) and in 2006 (n = 1,081; 14.3 ± 0.6 years). ORs of socioeconomic differences—as measured by parental education—were calculated for each cohort in smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, and the interactions of socioeconomic position and the time period on these behaviours were calculated.

Results

The higher odds of smoking in the low socioeconomic group compared to the high socioeconomic group decreased among boys (interaction OR 0.54), but became evident among girls (interaction OR 1.96). In alcohol consumption, no socioeconomic differences were found among boys, but the higher odds among girls from high socioeconomic position compared with those from low socioeconomic position disappeared in 2006. In physical inactivity, socioeconomic differences increased among boys but not among girls.

Conclusion

During this period, socioeconomic differences in HRB developed in a different way among boys than among girls. Prevalence rates in substance use increased especially among girls from the low socioeconomic group. This group should be particularly targeted by prevention programs.     

The contribution of school breaks to the all-day physical activity of 9- and 10-year-old overweight and non-overweight children

Objectives

This study examines whether moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in at least 30-min school breaks (SB), helps to achieve the health-related amount of daily physical activity (PA) and whether these exercises influence after-school PA.

Methods

The ActiTrainer-based PA was monitored over two school days in 239 children aged from 9 to 10 (57.3% female; 20.1% overweight, and 19.2% obese), in Katowice, in February 2010. PA was assessed based on steps, heart rate, and duration of PA.

Results

MVPA, for 30?min during SB, represented an average of 1,258 steps for overweight girls and 1,620 steps for boys, and 1,336 steps for non-overweight girls and 1,758 steps for boys. Children with 30?min of MVPA during SB attained a higher daily amount of steps (p?p?Conclusion The daily 30?min of MVPA during SB amounts to 12.5% of the overall number of steps for girls and 16.3% for boys, thus contributing to higher school PA and overall PA and leading to the achievement of the health-related minimum of PA.     

Health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with functional disabilities in a northern Swedish county

Purpose

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) studies in children and adolescents with disabilities tend to report lower self-reported health than in the typical population. However, reports are not always consistent and HRQoL appears to vary depending on diagnosis, cultural setting and clinical context. The aim of this study was to explore HRQoL in children and adolescents with various disabilities in Västerbotten County, Sweden.

Methods

A total of 175 children and adolescents [57 girls, 118 boys; mean age 11.7 years (range 7–17 years)] divided into four different diagnostic groups (intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, movement disorders and hearing disabilities) participated in the study. The EuroQol Five Dimensions Health Questionnaire, Youth version (EQ-5D-Y) was used as HRQoL measure.

Results

Significant differences in various EQ-5D-Y dimensions between the different diagnostic groups were found, but no differences in overall health status. HRQoL in children and adolescents with hearing disabilities was found similar to the typical child population in Sweden whereas children and adolescents with other diagnoses reported evidently more problems.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that there is an increased risk for children with functional disabilities other than hearing disabilities in northern Sweden to experience difficulties in various health domains and lowered general health.     

Cardiovascular disease risk factors among children of different socioeconomic status in Istanbul,Turkey: Directions for public health and nutrition policy

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on physiological (lipid profile, obesity indices) and behavioral (dietary habits, physical activity) cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among primary schoolchildren in Istanbul.

Design

Cross sectional study.

Setting

One private school and two public schools from different SES districts in Istanbul.

Participants

510 randomly selected children aged 12 and 13 years old (257 boys, 253 girls).

Results

The prevalence of overweight (15.2%) and the energy intake (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for boys and girls respectively) were found to be higher for the middle/ high SES group for both genders. Regarding biochemical indices, middle/ high SES children had higher values of High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for boys and girls respectively) and lower values of TC/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 for boys and girls respectively). This could be attributed to the higher physical activity levels observed for middle/ high SES children (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings of the current study revealed a coexistence of both overweight and higher energy intake in middle/ high SES children, as well as a coexistence of underweight and lower physical activity levels in low SES children. These observations should guide the public health policy in developing appropriate intervention strategies to efficiently tackle these health and social issues early in life.

     

Psychosocial determinants of quality of life in parents of obese children seeking inpatient treatment

Purpose

To examine and identify predictors of parental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of obese and very obese children participating in an inpatient program for treating obesity.

Methods

Data are part of a prospective multicenter randomized-controlled intervention trial. Parents (n = 463) of obese and very obese children (7–13 years) completed standardized questionnaires assessing their own and their child’s HRQoL, psychosocial functioning, demographics and parental weight-specific self-efficacy on the child’s admission to an inpatient pediatric weight management program. Weight and height of the children were measured by trained personnel; parental weight was assessed via self-report.

Results

Parents reported lower mental HRQoL compared to healthy adults and even lower than reference values for acute or chronic illness. With respect to physical HRQoL, parents of obese children reported higher scores than both groups. Effect sizes were small to medium. Overweight parents reported a lower physical HRQoL. Mental HRQoL was higher for married parents with a higher educational level and a higher self-efficacy and for those whose children depicted fewer behavioral problems and reported a higher HRQoL. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that weight-specific self-efficacy explained 3 % of variance in mental HRQoL in addition to the demographic and child psychosocial variables. Parental self-efficacy also partially mediated the association between the child’s HRQoL and parental mental HRQoL.

Conclusion

Childhood obesity is associated with reduced parental HRQoL. Interventions for obesity in children should consider the parents’ psychosocial situation as well. Enhancing parental self-efficacy may be a promising approach.     

The association between sense of coherence and life satisfaction in adolescents

Purpose

The present paper investigated possible gender and age differences on life satisfaction as well as the association between sense of coherence (SOC) and life satisfaction. The interaction effect of gender by SOC and age by SOC in relation to life satisfaction was also investigated.

Methods

A total of 1,239 adolescents (13–18 years) from public elementary and secondary schools in Mid-Norway participated in the school-based survey study. Two-way between-groups ANOVA was employed to investigate gender and age differences on life satisfaction, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between SOC and life satisfaction, controlled for gender, age, physical activity, and subjective health.

Results

The results showed that boys scored higher on life satisfaction than girls across all ages, except in the age group 17–18 years, where girls scored higher than boys. SOC was strongly and positively associated with life satisfaction. However, no interaction effect of gender by SOC or age by SOC on life satisfaction was found, showing that the strength of the association between SOC and life satisfaction does not differ between genders or across age groups.

Conclusion

The results give support for the positive role of SOC in relation to subjective well-being in adolescents.