Association Between Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Canadian Adults

Background: Obesity is associated with impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQL), whereas physical activity (PA) is a promoter of HRQL. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between BMI and PA with HRQL in younger and older Canadian adults. Methods: Data from the 2012 annual component of the Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 48,041; 30 years) were used to capture self-reported body mass index (BMI- kg/m(2)), PA (kcal/kg/day, KKD), and HRQL. Interactions between PA and age on the BMI and HRQL relationship were assessed using general linear models and logistic regression. Results: Those younger (younger: mu = 0.79 +/- 0.02; older: mu = 0.70 +/- 0.02) and more active (active: mu = 0.82 +/- 0.02; moderately active: mu = 0.77 +/- 0.03; inactive: mu = 0.73 +/- 0.01) reported higher HRQL. Older inactive underweight, normal weight, and overweight adults have lower odds of high HRQL. Conclusion: PA was associated with higher HRQL in younger adults. In older adults, BMI and PA influenced HRQL.