Sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life in adolescents

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) represents the perception of each person about different aspects of their lives in the health context (physical, psychological, social environment and interpersonal relationships). Among adolescents, HRQoL can change considering habits adopted in this phase of life. This study analyzed the association between time used on different sedentary behaviors (SB) and HRQoL in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study with adolescents between 10 - 15 years of age. The SB was measured using a questionnaire (n = 1,455 adolescents) and accelerometer (n = 844 adolescents), and HRQoL using KIDSCREEN - 27. Time on videogames/cell phones/tablets was inversely associated with overall HRQoL (β = -0.021; 95%CI: -0.026; -0.006), psychological well-being (β = -0.030; 95%CI: -0.050; -0.010), peer social support (β = -0.041; 95%CI: -0.066; -0.016) and school environment (β = -0.033; 95%CI: -0.056; -0.010) scores. Screen time was inversely associated with the school environment score (β = -0.011; 95%CI: -0.020; -0.003). Computer time was positively associated with the psychological well-being (β = 0.025; 95%CI: 0.006; 0.043) and peer social support scores (β = 0.029; 95%CI: 0.004; 0.053). It concluded that adolescents with more screen time had lower HRQoL. However, theses associations varied with the type and method of SB measurement and the HRQoL dimension.