Gender and school-stage associations with health-related behaviours and health-related quality of life in Spanish children

Knox, Emily; Muros Molina, Jose Joaquin

Abstract

During adolescence individuals experience a number of cognitive, physical, psychological and emotional changes which can impinge on their health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to identify associations with five components of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children. Data were collected from 456 children attending one of five schools in Granada, Spain in a cross-sectional design. Females reported engaging in less physical activity than males. Females reported lower HRQoL in terms of lower physical wellbeing, family relationships and autonomy and perceived school environment in secondary school. Males only reported lower perceptions of their school environment in secondary school. Physical activity was strongly associated with HRQoL, whereas Mediterranean diet was not. Physical activity interventions should be prioritised when positive HRQoL of children is a main target. Special consideration should be given to support the positive development of females, especially during the early years of secondary school.

Citation

Knox, E., & Muros Molina, J. J. (in press). Gender and school-stage associations with health-related behaviours and health-related quality of life in Spanish children. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 19(5), https://doi.org/10.1080/14623730.2017.1345689

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 16, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jul 3, 2017
• Deposit Date: Aug 31, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 31, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Mental Health Promotion
• Print ISSN: 1462-3730
• Electronic ISSN: 2049-8543
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14623730.2017.1345689
• Keywords: Mediterranean diet, physical activity, childhood, health-related quality of life, mental health, school
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/870922
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14623730.2017.1345689
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Mental Health Promotion on 3 July 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14623730.2017.1345689.