The Association of Health-Related Quality of Life (HINT-8) with Health Behaviors and Metabolic Diseases among Korean Adults: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the association of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), measured using health-related quality of life instrument with 8 items (HINT-8), with health behaviors and metabolic diseases among Korean adults.METHODS: A total of 4,499 adults aged 19 years or older from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Participants were categorized into three HRQOL levels (Good, Moderate, Poor) based on their HINT-8 scores. Logistic regression analysis accounting for complex sampling design was conducted to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the association of HRQOL with health behaviors and metabolic diseases after adjusting for covariates.RESULTS: Compared to the Poor HRQOL group, the Good HRQOL group had a significantly higher likelihood of meeting the recommended levels of aerobic physical activity (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01–1.41) and resistance exercise (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.32–1.96) and a significantly lower likelihood of having diabetes mellitus (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53–0.91) and hypercholesterolemia (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66–0.97). However, no significant differences were found in sedentary behavior, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate a positive association of HRQOL with aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise, as well as a negative association with diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia.