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The association between self‐reported diet quality and health‐related quality of life in rural and urban Australian adolescents
Author(s) -
Bolton Kristy A.,
Jacka Felice,
Allender Steven,
Kremer Peter,
Gibbs Lisa,
Waters Elizabeth,
Silva Andrea
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/ajr.12275
Subject(s) - medicine , demography , unit (ring theory) , regression analysis , environmental health , gerontology , psychology , mathematics education , machine learning , sociology , computer science
Objective This study examines the relationship between diet quality and health‐related quality of life ( HRQ oL) in rural and urban Australian adolescents, and gender differences. Design Cross‐sectional. Setting Secondary schools. Participants 722 rural and 422 urban students from 19 secondary schools. Main outcome measures Self‐report dietary‐related behaviours, demographic information, HRQ oL ( AQ oL‐6D) were collected. Healthy and unhealthy diet quality scores were calculated; multiple linear regression investigated associations between diet quality and HRQ oL. Results Compared to urban students, rural students had higher HRQ oL, higher healthy diet score, lower unhealthy diet score, consumed less soft drink and less frequently, less takeaway and a higher proportion consumed breakfast (P < 0.05). Overall, males had higher unhealthy diet score, poorer dietary behaviours but a higher HRQ oL score compared to females (P < 0.05). In all students, final regression models indicated: a unit increase in healthy diet score was associated with an increase in HRQ oL (unstandardised coefficient(B)±standard error( SE ); B = 0.02 ± 0.01( SE ); P < 0.02); and a unit increase in unhealthy diet scores was associated with a decrease in HRQ oL (−0.01 ± 0.00; P < 0.05). In rural students alone, a unit increase in unhealthy diet score was associated with a decrease in HRQ oL (B = −0.01 ± 0.00; P = 0.002), and in urban students a unit increase in healthy diet score was associated with an increase in HRQ oL (B = 0.02 ± 0.00; P < 0.001). Conclusions Cross‐sectional associations between diet quality and HRQ oL were observed. Dietary modification may offer a target to improve HRQ oL and general well‐being; and consequently the prevention and treatment of adolescent health problems. Such interventions should consider gender and locality.