The Relationship between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life among High School Students of Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Physical activity (PA) is crucial for promoting health-related quality of life, especially among children of all ages. PA influences both physical and psychological well-being, and its absence can lead to various health-related problems that disrupt overall quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the correlation between PA and HRQoL in high school students. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional survey on high school students in Karachi, Pakistan, using a non-purposive sampling technique. The study included 378 students from various educational institutions. We collected data using a Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ) and a Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PED-QoL). The data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The chi-square test was used to associate PA with HRQoL, with a significant p<0.05. Results: Findings suggest that 79.8% of the total population have a healthy QoL, but on the other hand, 54.4% have low PA levels. The Spearman’s correlation test (r=0.145, p=0.005) indicated significant evidence of a weak positive correlation between both variables among high school students. Conclusion: A weak positive association between PA and HRQoL in high school students was revealed. Although it is an observational study, a prospective survey must systematically analyze PA and QOL among high school students.