Impact of Physical Activity and BMI on Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight Indian Adolescents1.07 MBDownloadView
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Abstract
health-related quality of life adolescents obesity physical activity BMI India randomized controlled trial
Background
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a critical yet often overlooked component of adolescent obesity management. While physical activity (PA) and body mass index (BMI) are established markers of health, their combined influence on HRQOL in Indian adolescents remains underexplored.
Objective
To examine how PA and BMI influence overall and domain-specific HRQOL in overweight and adolescents with obesity following a structured lifestyle program.
Methods
In this randomized controlled study, 604 adolescents (aged 11–16 years) with BMI above the 85th percentile were recruited from schools in Udupi, India. Individuals were randomized into three groups: multifactorial strategy (MFI: exercise, lifestyle education, behavioral counseling), exercise-only (EX), and Control group (CON). PA was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), and HRQOL was measured via the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0). Linear mixed-effects models evaluated associations between PA, BMI, and HRQOL over a 12-month period, which included a 12-week intervention followed by 9 months of follow-up.
Results
PA was linked with better HRQOL in the MFI (β = 9.30, p < 0.001) and EX (β = 4.47, p < 0.001) groups. Interestingly, higher BMI correlated with better HRQOL scores in both program arms. The CON group showed no meaningful association between PA and HRQOL. The domain-level analysis found that PA and BMI were positively linked to physical, emotional, social, and school functioning in both program groups, with more pronounced effects in the MFI group. The CON group showed improvement only in emotional functioning related to BMI.
Conclusion
Structured PA programs, especially those combining education and behavioral support, notably enhance the quality of life among overweight Indian adolescents. These findings reinforce the importance of focusing not solely on weight loss, but on holistic, behavior-driven health outcomes in adolescent obesity care.
Clinical Trial Registration
CTRI/2019/04/018834
Details
Title
Impact of Physical Activity and BMI on Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight Indian Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors
Prateek Srivastav - Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Vaishali K (Corresponding Author) - Manipal Academy of Higher Education
H Vinod Bhat - Apollo University (India)
Suzanne Broadbent - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Publication details
Obesity Pillars, Vol.16, pp.1-7
Publisher
Elsevier Inc.
Date published
2025
DOI
10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100201
ISSN
2667-3681
Organisation Unit
Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; Cancer Research Cluster; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Language
English
Record Identifier
991154338802621
Output Type
Journal article
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Impact of Physical Activity and BMI on Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight Indian Adolescents