Abstract
Background: The relationship between Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical activity (PA) in school age children is well documented internationally but fewer studies have been conducted in the United States, and no studies have been conducted in Idaho.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between participation in Eat Smart Idaho classes with a change in physical activity and health-related quality of life.
Methods: Sixth grade students were recruited to participate in the study; they completed the KIDSCREEN27 quality of life questionnaire and the EFNEP 6th- 12th Grade Youth Questionnaire and received a fitness tracker and log form. They were asked to record daily steps and PA on this form. Children attended a weekly 60-minute Eat Smart Idaho class for seven weeks. Youth received a PA supplement to complete at home at the first lesson. Attendance was recorded, and youth were asked to turn in their daily step counts log forms at each class. Students completed three questions about PA from the EFNEP 6th-12th Grade Youth Questionnaire at lesson four. During the last class, the EFNEP 6th-12th Grade Youth Questionnaire and KIDSCREEN27 were completed and students answered questions about their experience in the study.
Results: Twelve students participated in the study by completing baseline and final surveys, and attended weekly classes. Three out of 12 students completed weekly logs to report their physical activity. Students were asked how many days of the week they chose to do aerobic activities and muscles strengthening. An ANOVA analysis compared the three timepoints, baseline, mid, and final. Results concluded no statistical significance across time with a p-value= 0.41 for the aerobic activity question and p-value=0.34 for the muscle strengthening question. Friedman chi-square was used to analysis how often youth choose PA, the test resulted in a p-value = 0.37, showing no statistical significance. Results of KIDSCREEN27 survey showed slight changes from baseline to final in all dimensions. Overall M (± SD) was 44.2 (7) at baseline and 47.04 (7.78) at final with a p-value = 0.38, no statistical significance.
Conclusion: With so few students tracking and returning step counts logs, no conclusion could be made between increased PA and its relationship to HRQOL with this study. Future research should consider using additional methods for collecting data on step counts that does not fully rely on youth self-reporting.