Health behaviors and health-related quality of life among middle school children in Southern Appalachia: data from the winning with wellness project.
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is linked to health status in a variety of conditions. Less is known about the relation between quality of life and modifiable health behaviors, especially among medically underserved populations.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to examine HRQoL as it relates to physical activity, sedentary behavior, and eating patterns in youth residing in Southern Appalachia.


METHODS
The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and questions on physical activity and eating behaviors was completed by 152 sixth grade students in a regional sample of schools participating in the Winning with Wellness child obesity prevention project.


RESULTS
The current study found higher physical activity levels and lower levels of screen time to be associated with reports of more positive HRQoL.


CONCLUSIONS
A more comprehensive understanding of factors surrounding health behavior may hold implications for obesity prevention/intervention programs.
Assistant Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA. daltonw@etsu.edu
William T
WT
Dalton
Karen E
KE
Schetzina
Deborah T
DT
Pfortmiller
Deborah L
DL
Slawson
William S
WS
Frye
D001061:Appalachian Region; D002648:Child; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012424:Rural Population; D057185:Sedentary Behavior