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Health-related quality of life of Portuguese children and adolescents according to their biological maturation and volume of physical activity

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between biological maturation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Portuguese children and adolescents of both sexes when the effect of chronological age (CA) and volume of physical activity (VPA) were removed.

Methods

HRQoL, biological maturation, CA, and VPA were assessed in 750 children and adolescents, 11–17 years old, from 3 schools in Lisbon, Portugal. The KIDSCREEN-52 was used to assess HRQoL. Maturity indicator was bone age (BA), using Tanner-Whitehouse III method (TW3). The participants were classified into three different maturity categories: late, on time, and early maturers. VPA was assessed by questionnaire (RAPIL II). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), using the CA and the VPA as covariates was completed. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Analysis of covariance suggested an influence of biological maturation in physical well-being dimension in both sexes, with early-maturing girls and boys having worst perception. Maturity groups were also influent in moods and emotions for girls. CA seems to be particularly important in self-perception and parent relation and home life for girls and in school environment for boys.

Conclusion

Biological maturation and CA have relevant impact on some HRQoL dimensions. These variables, due to their nature and effect should be considered particularly when working with specific domains of HRQoL as physical well-being in both sexes, moods and emotions and self-perception and parent relation and home life for girls and in school environment for boys.

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Funding

The Funding was provided by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (PTDC/DES/113156/2009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIPER and Department of Sports and Health of the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal

    Catarina Garcia & Isabel Fragoso

  2. CIPER and Mathematics Unit, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal

    Júlia Teles

  3. CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal

    Carlos Barrigas

Authors
  1. Catarina Garcia
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  2. Júlia Teles
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  3. Carlos Barrigas
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  4. Isabel Fragoso
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Correspondence to Isabel Fragoso.

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Garcia, C., Teles, J., Barrigas, C. et al. Health-related quality of life of Portuguese children and adolescents according to their biological maturation and volume of physical activity. Qual Life Res 27, 1483–1492 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1822-7

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