Depression moderates between physical activity and quality of life in low-income children

This study investigated the relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as moderated by depression in low-income children.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 149 children ages 10-12 whose families' monthly incomes were at or below 150% of Korea's minimum cost of living. Children's physical activity, depression, and HRQoL were measured with self-administered questionnaires. Multiple regression and simple slope analysis examined the moderating effect of depression between physical activity and HRQoL.

Physical activity was significantly positively correlated with HRQoL while depression was significantly negatively correlated with physical activity and HRQoL. Physical activity, depression, and their interaction explained 39.3% of variance in low-income children's HRQoL. Simple slope analysis showed that increased physical activity was related to higher QoL among children without depressive symptoms but not significantly related to QoL for children with depressive symptoms.

The moderating effect of depression between physical activity and QoL was confirmed in children from low-income families. To improve HRQoL through physical activity interventions, depression screening and symptom management should be performed so that strategies to promote QoL can be effectively applied consistent with depression screening results.