title: Associations between physical activity and quality of life outcomes in adults with severe obesity: a cross-sectional study prior to the beginning of a lifestyle intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severely obese individuals who seek lifestyle interventions have impaired quality of life (QoL). Research suggests that physical activity (PA) plays a role in weight reduction and improved health in this group, but knowledge about the association of PA with QoL outcomes is sparse and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a higher level of PA was independently associated with higher QoL in severely obese individuals prior to the beginning of a lifestyle intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  During 2010, a total of 49 severely obese individuals who began a lifestyle intervention programme in Western Norway agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected prior to the beginning of the intervention. QoL was measured by a one-item scale on life satisfaction and the SF-36, PA was measured by an accelerometer, and clinical data were collected by health staff. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the associations between PA and QoL outcomes (life satisfaction, physical functioning, and mental health), adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the adjusted analyses, we found positive relationships between PA and life satisfaction (Stand. coeff. 0.39, p = 0.024) and physical functioning (Stand. coeff. 0.34, p = 0.025). There was no association between PA and mental health (Stand. coeff. 0.15, p = 0.376).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study detected associations between objectively measured PA and life satisfaction as well as physical functioning in a group of severely obese individuals before they began a lifestyle intervention programme.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Studies, Sogn og Fjordane University College, N-6803 Førde, Norway. randi.jepsen@hisf.no.
authors.forename: Randi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jepsen
authors.forename: Eivind
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aadland
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Gerd K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Natvig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009664:Norway; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult