How Physical Activity Affects Independent Living In Kids Aged 6 To 17?: 2016-2023 Nsch

Functional independence in children, encompassing self-care, mobility, communication, social interaction, and household activities, is essential for quality of life Impairments in these areas can significantly impact a child’s overall well-being. Physical activity (PA) is established as a key determinant of health, with evidence supporting its role in enhancing both physical capacities and psychosocial outcomes. PURPOSE: To examine the association between PA engagement and functional independence among children aged 6-17, using data from a nationally representative sample. METHODS: This study utilized data from the 2016-2023 US National Survey of Children’s Health. PA engagement was defined as parents/guardians-reported participation in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on one or more days in the past week. Children were classified as having functional independence difficulties if parents/guardians reported issues with essential daily activities. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to examine association between PA engagement and functional independence, adjusting for demographic covariates including age, sex, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. RESULTS: Of the 119,023 participants, 4.59% (95% CI [4.31, 4.88]) were reported to have functional independence difficulties, while 85.91% (95% CI [85.43, 86.37]) engaged in PA. Bivariate logistic regression indicated that children who engaged in PA had a significantly lower likelihood of reporting functional independence difficulties, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.35 (95% CI [0.31, 0.41]). After adjusting for demographic variables, multivariable logistic regression confirmed this association, with an adjusted OR of 0.38 (95% CI [0.33, 0.43]), indicating that PA engagement was associated with a 62% reduction in the odds of functional independence difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement in physical activity is strongly associated with reduced likelihood of functional independence difficulties among children, underscoring the role of PA in supporting essential daily activities and overall quality of life. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to promote PA as a preventive strategy, particularly for children at risk of functional impairments.