Associations of physical activity and screen-time on health related quality of life in adults.

BACKGROUND Associations between the combined effect of physical activity and screen based activities on health related quality of life remain largely undetermined. METHODS During 2008-2010, cross-sectional data for self-reported health related quality of life, physical activity, and screen-time were collected for 3796 Australian adults. Logistic regression was conducted to examine associations for six combinations of physical activity (none, insufficient, and sufficient), and screen-time (low and high) on health related quality of life. RESULTS In comparison to the reference category (sufficient physical activity and low screen-time) men and women who reported no physical activity and either high (OR=4.52, 95% CI 2.82-7.25) or low (OR=2.29, 95% CI 1.37-3.80) screen-time, were significantly more likely to report over 14 unhealthy days. Men reporting either; no physical activity and high (OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.92-5.15), or low (OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.30-3.63) screen-time; insufficient physical activity and high (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.08-2.60), or low (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.14-2.82) screen-time were more likely to rate their health as poor or fair. In women this was significant for those who reported no physical activity and high screen-time (OR=1.98, 95% CI, 1.19-3.31). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that the combination of no physical activity and high screen-time demonstrated the greatest negative impact on health related quality of life.