Research Article
Peter D Hart and Minsoo Kan
Abstract
Objectives: Physical inactivity (PIA) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are both major public health concepts of growing interest. This study had two purposes: (1) To evaluate the relationship between PIA and HRQOL among adult men and women, and (2) To examine the extent to which gender differences exist in the PIA and HRQOL relationship. Methods: Data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used for the study. Four self-reported items and one constructed index for a total of five measures were used to assess HRQOL. PIA status was assessed by answers to two questions regarding recreational physical activity. Multiple logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for demographic and healthrelated variables. Results: There were significantly greater odds of poor HRQOL for those who were physically inactive, while controlling for age, race, gender, income, Body Mass Index, smoking status, and sedentary time. PIA was significantly related to all 5 measures of HRQOL with the greatest odds seen for poor general health (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 2.11 – 2.95). Gender differences were evident in most of the models, with odds of poor HRQOL ranging from 1.38 to 1.92 and 2.37 to 3.40 for women and men, respectively. Conclusions: Results from this study show that PIA is a strong predictor of poor HRQOL and remains so after controlling for potential confounding variables. Overall, more women report poor levels of HRQOL compared to men, however, men are more likely than women to report poor levels of HRQOL if they are physically inactive.