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The Mediating Role of Physical Activity and Physical Function in the Association between Body Mass Index and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Population-Based Study with Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Marcelo de Maio Nascimento

    (Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina 56304-917, PE, Brazil)

  • Élvio Rúbio Gouveia

    (Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    LARSYS—Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering System, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Bruna R. Gouveia

    (LARSYS—Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering System, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Regional Directorate of Health, Secretary of Health of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, 9004-515 Funchal, Portugal
    Saint Joseph of Cluny Higher School of Nursing, 9050-535 Funchal, Portugal)

  • Adilson Marques

    (CIPER, Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
    Environmental Health Institute (ISAMB), University of Lisbon, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Pedro Campos

    (Department of Informatics Engineering and Interactive Media Design, University of Madeira, 9000-072 Funchal, Portugal)

  • Jesús García-Mayor

    (Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, San Javier Campus, University of Murcia, 30720 San Javier, Spain)

  • Krzysztof Przednowek

    (Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland)

  • Andreas Ihle

    (Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

Abstract

This study aimed (1) to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and physical function (PF) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and (2) to examine in-depth whether PA and PF mediate the relationship between BMI and HRQoL in older adults. We investigated 802 individuals (mean age 69.8 ± 5.6 years), residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. Harmol and PA were assessed using the SF-36 and Baecke questionnaires, respectively, and PF by the Senior Fitness Test. The prevalence of overweight was 71.3%, 26.5% for normal weight, and 2.1% for underweight. We verified a small correlation between age and sex with BMI, PA, PF, and medium borderline with HRQoL. After adjusting for covariates (i.e., sex, age, comorbidities), the multivariate regression analysis indicated a 93.1% chance of improvement in HRQoL for low BMI, while PA and PF revealed a chance of increasing HRQoL by 91.8% and 60.0%, respectively. According to the serial mediation pathway, PA and PF partially mediated the association between BMI and HRQoL by 32.3% and 81.5%, respectively. The total variance of the model was 90%. It was concluded that BMI can negatively affect HRQoL. On the other hand, PA and PF are able to increase HRQoL levels during the aging process.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelo de Maio Nascimento & Élvio Rúbio Gouveia & Bruna R. Gouveia & Adilson Marques & Pedro Campos & Jesús García-Mayor & Krzysztof Przednowek & Andreas Ihle, 2022. "The Mediating Role of Physical Activity and Physical Function in the Association between Body Mass Index and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Population-Based Study with Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:13718-:d:950181
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. He, X.Z. & Baker, D.W., 2004. "Body mass index, physical activity, and the risk of decline in overall health and physical functioning in late middle age," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(9), pages 1567-1573.
    2. Alejandro Gomez-Bruton & David Navarrete-Villanueva & Jorge Pérez-Gómez & Sara Vila-Maldonado & Eva Gesteiro & Narcis Gusi & Jose Gerardo Villa-Vicente & Luis Espino & Marcela Gonzalez-Gross & Jose A., 2020. "The Effects of Age, Organized Physical Activity and Sedentarism on Fitness in Older Adults: An 8-Year Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-17, June.
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