title: Quality of Life, Motor Ability, and Weight Status among School-aged Children of Tehran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health Related quality of life (HRQOL), motor ability and weight status in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred forty children ages 9-11 yr who were selected via multi stage cluster sampling design from primary schools in the Shahre Qods at Tehran, Iran in 2007. HRQOL was assessed by the pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL). Motor abilities were determined by a Basic Motor Ability Test (BMAT). Body mass index was calculated to determine weight status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Psychosocial, physical, and total health related qualities of life (all P< 0.05) were significantly lowered for obese when compared to normal weight participants. In contrast, the mean scores for each HRQOL domain in motor ability category were not significant. No significant interaction was apparent when examining HRQOL scores, BMAT variables and weight status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regardless of motor ability levels, reducing body weight among children is a potential avenue for promoting improved HRQOL. Over weight boys reported significantly worse school performance than over weight girls, suggesting the importance in considering such dimensions in programs aimed at further understanding obesity in children.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Physical Education, Faculty of Human sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khodaverdi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bahram
authors.forename: M Asghari
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jafarabadi
keywords: Body mass index; Children; Iran; Motor ability; Quality of life