What Shapes Quality of Life in Youth? A Multidimensional Approach from Lifestyle to Residential Context—Cor-School Study

<b>Background</b>: Health-related quality of life is a key indicator of well-being that integrates physical, emotional, and social dimensions. Identifying its determinants during childhood and adolescence is essential to guide effective health promotion strategies. <b>Objective</b>: To analyze the association between health-related quality of life and demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle, and environmental variables in school-aged children and adolescents. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2023-2024 academic year in northeastern Spain. A total of 571 children and adolescents participated in the study (mean age = 11.64 ± 1.64 years), of whom 254 were girls (44.48%). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Revised Children's Quality of Life Questionnaire (KINDL-R), a validated instrument for assessing perceived well-being in pediatric populations. Independent variables included waist-to-height ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, weekly physical activity, sleep quality, and residential context (i.e., large urban areas, small urban areas, and municipalities). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations. <b>Results</b>: Older age was associated with lower health-related quality of life (β = -1.07; 95% CI: -1.61 to -0.53; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In contrast, better adherence to the Mediterranean diet (β = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.09 to 1.37; <i>p</i> = 0.023), better sleep quality (b = -2.48; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and participants living in cities and large urban areas reported compared to those in municipalities were associated with higher HRQoL (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with moderate effect sizes. No significant associations were found for sex, waist-to-height ratio, cholesterol levels, or physical activity. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study highlights the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to promote health-related quality of life in young populations, addressing dietary habits, sleep quality, and environmental factors within health promotion strategies.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Healthcare
Published
2025-05-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13111256
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Health disparities and outcomes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.17
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

What Shapes Quality of Life in Youth? A Multidimensional Approach from Lifestyle to Residential Context—Cor-School Study

Vicenç Hernández‐González, Isaac López‐Laval, Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà, José Vicente Beltrán-Garrido et al.
1 citations
Healthcare
Health disparities and outcomes
2.17
article

What Shapes Quality of Life in Youth? A Multidimensional Approach from Lifestyle to Residential Context—Cor-School Study

Vicenç Hernández‐González, Isaac López‐Laval, Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà, José Vicente Beltrán-Garrido, Joaquín Reverter Masià, Álvaro Pano-Rodríguez, Enric Conesa‐Milian, Saül Aixa‐Requena
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Health-related quality of life is a key indicator of well-being that integrates physical, emotional, and social dimensions. Identifying its determinants during childhood and adolescence is essential to guide effective health promotion strategies. <b>Objective</b>: To analyze the association between health-related quality of life and demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle, and environmental variables in school-aged children and adolescents. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2023-2024 academic year in northeastern Spain. A total of 571 children and adolescents participated in the study (mean age = 11.64 ± 1.64 years), of whom 254 were girls (44.48%). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Revised Children's Quality of Life Questionnaire (KINDL-R), a validated instrument for assessing perceived well-being in pediatric populations. Independent variables included waist-to-height ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, weekly physical activity, sleep quality, and residential context (i.e., large urban areas, small urban areas, and municipalities). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations. <b>Results</b>: Older age was associated with lower health-related quality of life (β = -1.07; 95% CI: -1.61 to -0.53; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In contrast, better adherence to the Mediterranean diet (β = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.09 to 1.37; <i>p</i> = 0.023), better sleep quality (b = -2.48; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and participants living in cities and large urban areas reported compared to those in municipalities were associated with higher HRQoL (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with moderate effect sizes. No significant associations were found for sex, waist-to-height ratio, cholesterol levels, or physical activity. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study highlights the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to promote health-related quality of life in young populations, addressing dietary habits, sleep quality, and environmental factors within health promotion strategies.

HealthcareVol. 13(11)
Universitat Jaume I (ES), Universitat de Lleida (ES), Universidad de Zaragoza (ES), Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU (ES), Universitat Rovira i Virgili (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Health disparities and outcomes
2.17
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.