Relationships Between Weight Status, Physical Activity, Nutritional Behaviors, and Life Satisfaction in Middle School Students

Büşra ÖZDEK, Özgür AKTAŞ, Hüseyin ÜNLÜ, Mustafa KARAHAN

Abstract


The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among weight status, physical activity, nutritional habits, and life satisfaction in middle school students. The study was conducted with a sample of 216 students (96 male and 120 female) attending public middle schools. Data was collected using a personal information form, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), the Nutritional Behavior Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale for Children. In addition, objective physical activity data were obtained using Polar Ignite® smartwatches, which participants wore continuously for only a 48-hour monitoring period. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation analyses. The results indicated that 61.1% of the participants were classified as normal weight, while 23.1% were overweight and 11.1% were obese. Male participants exhibited significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) values than female participants (p<0.05). No significant gender differences were observed in physical activity levels, life satisfaction, or nutritional habits (p>0.05). However, 11-year-old students demonstrated significantly higher physical activity levels and healthier nutritional habits than students aged 12 and 13 years. Correlation analyses revealed positive and significant associations between physical activity and life satisfaction, as well as between physical activity and nutritional habits (p<0.01). No significant association was found between life satisfaction and nutritional habits (p>0.05). In conclusion, promoting sustained physical activity and healthy nutrition during early adolescence may support both physical health and psychosocial well-being among middle school students overall effectively.

Keywords: Nutrional Behaviors, Obesity, Physical Activity.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Al Sabbah, H., Vereecken, C., Kolsteren, P., Abdeen, Z., & Maes, L. (2007). Food habits and physical activity patterns among Palestinian adolescents: Findings from the national study of Palestinian schoolchildren (HBSC-WBG2004). Public Health Nutrition, 10(7), 739–746. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980007665501

Alkan, H., Enç, N., Yeni, K., Ayvaz, M. Y., Kayıkcı, E. E., & Uğurlu, Y. K. (2022). Evaluation of childhood obesity, prevalence, and related factors in İstanbul. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 30(3), 267. https://doi.org/10.5152/FNJN.2022.20106

Al-Zandee, S. S. A., & Ünlü, H. (2019). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin fiziksel aktivite egzersiz değişim davranışları ve beden eğitimi dersine yatkınlıklarının incelenmesi. Spormetre Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(3), 100–118. https://doi.org/10.33689/spormetre.521319

Aymerich, M., Cladellas, R., Castelló, A., Casas, F., & Cunill, M. (2021). The evolution of life satisfaction throughout childhood and adolescence: Differences in young people’s evaluations according to age and gender. Child Indicators Research, 14(6), 2347–2369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-021-09846-9

Baile, J. I., Guevara, R. M., González-Calderón, M. J., & Urchaga, J. D. (2020). The relationship between weight status, health-related quality of life, and life satisfaction in a sample of Spanish adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(9), 3106. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093106

Chaireti, E., Orfanos, P., Fotiou, A., Kanavou, E., Stavrou, M., Richardson, C., & Benetou, V. (2025). Healthier diet and diet-related behaviors are associated with increased physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior among adolescents in Greece. Nutrients, 17(3), 381. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030381

Chang, B. K. (2022). Examining the degree of changes in Korean elementary schools’ physical activity promotion system grades amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 51(5), 1010. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v51i5.9416

Chang, B. K., Park, S. W., Kim, Y. S., & Lee, S. M. (2024). Changes in the average body mass index of fifth- and sixth-grade Korean elementary school students: The role of physical education in student health. Healthcare, 12(8), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12080855

Chang, H. H., & Nayga, R. M., Jr. (2010). Childhood obesity and unhappiness: The influence of soft drinks and fast food consumption. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11(3), 261–275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-009-9139-4

Chen, S., López-Gil, J. F., Memon, A. R., Bao, R., & Yang, X. (2024). Associations of eating habits with self-rated health and life satisfaction in adolescents: A 42-country cross-sectional study. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 14(6), 1501–1513. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14060099

Chmelík, F., Frömel, K., Groffik, D., & Mitáš, J. (2023). Physical activity and life satisfaction among adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acta Psychologica, 241, 104081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104081

Dağlı, A., & Baysal, N. (2016). Yaşam doyumu ölçeğinin Türkçeye uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 15(59). https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.263229

Davisson, E. K., Andrade, F. C., Godwin, J., & Hoyle, R. (2025). Adolescent reports of subjective socioeconomic status: An adequate alternative to parent-reported objective and subjective socioeconomic status? PLOS ONE, 20(1), e0317777. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317777

Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13

Edmundson, E., Parcel, G. S., Perry, C. L., Feldman, H. A., Smyth, M., Johnson, C. C., & Stone, E. (1996). The effects of the child and adolescent trial for cardiovascular health intervention on psychosocial determinants of cardiovascular disease risk behavior among third-grade students. American Journal of Health Promotion, 10(3), 217–225. https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-10.3.2

Ekinci, Ü., Tercan, S., & Kaya, E. (2025). Educational methods and recreational awareness for enhancing teachers’ attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. Journal of Education and Recreation Patterns, 6(1), 168–184. https://doi.org/10.53016/jerp.v6i1.285

Erdim, L., Ergün, A., & Kuğuoğlu, S. (2019). Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 49(1), 162–169. https://doi.org/10.3906/sag-1806-212

Fernandes, V., Rodrigues, F., Jacinto, M., Teixeira, D., Cid, L., Antunes, R., & Monteiro, D. (2023). How does the level of physical activity influence eating behavior? A self-determination theory approach. Life, 13(2), 298. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020298

Galle, F., Valerio, G., Daniele, O., Di Mauro, V., Forte, S., Muscariello, E., & Pecoraro, P. (2022). Multidisciplinary treatment for childhood obesity: A two-year experience in the province of Naples, Italy. Children, 9(6), 834. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9060834

Gautam, N., Dessie, G., Rahman, M. M., & Khanam, R. (2023). Socioeconomic status and health behavior in children and adolescents: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1228632. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1228632

Giralt, M., Albaladejo, R., Tarro, L., Moriña, D., Arija, V., & Solà, R. (2011). A primary-school-based study to reduce prevalence of childhood obesity in Catalunya (Spain)-EDAL-Educació en alimentació: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 12(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-12-54

Goldbeck, L., Schmitz, T. G., Besier, T., Herschbach, P., & Henrich, G. (2007). Life satisfaction decreases during adolescence. Quality of Life Research, 16(6), 969–979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9205-5

Hassapidou, M., Tzotzas, T., Makri, E., Pagkalos, I., Kaklamanos, I., Kapantais, E., Abrahamian, A., Polymeris, A., & Tziomalos, K. (2017). Prevalence and geographic variation of abdominal obesity in 7- and 9-year-old children in Greece: World Health Organization Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative 2010. BMC Public Health, 17(1), 126. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4061-x

Hazar, Z., Demir, G. T., Namlı, S., & Türkeli, A. (2017). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin dijital oyun bağımlılığı ve fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 11(3), 320–332.

Holder, M. D. (2019). The contribution of food consumption to well-being. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 74(Suppl. 2), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.1159/000499147

Horanicova, S., Husarova, D., Madarasova Geckova, A., de Winter, A. F., & Reijneveld, S. A. (2022). Family socioeconomic status and adolescent school satisfaction: Does schoolwork support affect this association? Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 841499. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.841499

Jia, P., Xue, H., Zhang, J., & Wang, Y. (2017). Time trend and demographic and geographic disparities in childhood obesity prevalence in China—Evidence from twenty years of longitudinal data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(4), 369. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040369

Karasar, N. (2012). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi. Nobel Yayıncılık.

Kartal, F. T., Burnaz, N. A., Yaşar, B., Sağlam, S., & Kıymaz, M. (2019). Adölesanların beslenme bilgi düzeylerinin beslenme ve egzersiz alışkanlıkları üzerine etkisinin incelenmesi. CBÜ Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(2), 280–295. https://doi.org/10.33459/cbubesbd.590620

Kautiainen, S., Koivusilta, L., Lintonen, T., Virtanen, S. M., & Rimpelä, A. (2005). Use of information and communication technology and prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents. International Journal of Obesity, 29(8), 925–933. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802994

Kawalec, A., Mozrzymas, R., Domżol, A., Zachurzok, A., Szczepańska, M., Noczyńska, A., & Zwolińska, D. (2024). Physical activity and its potential determinants in obese children and adolescents under specialist outpatient care—A pilot cross-sectional study. Healthcare, 12(2), 260. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020260

Kaye-Tzadok, A., Kim, S. S., & Main, G. (2017). Children’s subjective well-being in relation to gender—What can we learn from dissatisfied children? Children and Youth Services Review, 80, 96–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.058

Ke, Y., Shi, L., Peng, L., Chen, S., Hong, J., & Liu, Y. (2022). Associations between socioeconomic status and physical activity: A cross-sectional analysis of Chinese children and adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 904506. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.904506

Kelly, A. S. (2023). Current and future pharmacotherapies for obesity in children and adolescents. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 19(9), 534–541. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-023-00858-9

Kimin, L. S., Lin, C. L. S., Avoi, R., Hayati, F., Daud, M. N. M., Mandrinos, S., & Payus, A. O. (2022). Children’s eating behaviour: A comparison between normal, overweight and obese children. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 84, 104890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104890

Kolanowski, W., Ługowska, K., & Trafialek, J. (2022). The impact of physical activity at school on eating behaviour and leisure time of early adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 16490. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416490

Kowalski, K. C., Crocker, P. R., & Kowalski, N. P. (1997). Convergent validity of the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents. Pediatric Exercise Science, 9(4), 342–352. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.9.4.342

Kuzay, G. (2024). Ortaokul çağındaki öğrencilerin beslenme bilgi düzeyi ve beslenme alışkanlıkları. ADÜ Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 1(2), 86–94. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4450272

Larson, N., & Story, M. (2013). A review of snacking patterns among children and adolescents: What are the implications of snacking for weight status? Childhood Obesity, 9(2), 104–115. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2012.010

Lazzeri, G., Azzolini, E., Pammolli, A., Simi, R., Meoni, V., & Giacchi, M. V. (2014). Factors associated with unhealthy behaviours and health outcomes: A cross-sectional study among Tuscan adolescents (Italy). International Journal for Equity in Health, 13(1), 83. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-014-0083-5

Liberali, R., Kupek, E., & Assis, M. A. A. D. (2020). Dietary patterns and childhood obesity risk: A systematic review. Childhood Obesity, 16(2), 70–85. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2019.005

Liu, D., Zhao, L. Y., Yu, D. M., Ju, L. H., Zhang, J., Wang, J. Z., & Zhao, W. H. (2018). Dietary patterns and association with obesity of children aged 6–17 years in medium and small cities in China: Findings from the CNHS 2010–2012. Nutrients, 11(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11010003

Llosada-Gistau, J., Montserrat, C., & Casas, F. (2015). The subjective well-being of adolescents in residential care compared to that of the general population. Children and Youth Services Review, 52, 150–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.11.007

Marufoğlu, S., & Kutlutürk, S. (2021). Ortaokul öğrencilerinde dijital oyun bağımlılığının fiziksel aktivite ve uyku alışkanlıklarına etkisi. Bağımlılık Dergisi, 22(2), 114–122. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.817756

Matin, N., Kelishadi, R., Heshmat, R., Motamed-Gorji, N., Djalalinia, S., Motlagh, M. E., & Qorbani, M. (2017). Joint association of screen time and physical activity on self-rated health and life satisfaction in children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-IV study. International Health, 9(1), 58–68. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihw044

Mazur, J., Małkowska-Szkutnik, A., & Instytut Matki i Dziecka (Eds.). (2018). Zdrowie uczniów w 2018 roku na tle nowego modelu badań HBSC. Instytut Matki i Dziecka.

Mizia, S., Felińczak, A., Włodarek, D., & Syrkiewicz-Świtała, M. (2021). Evaluation of eating habits and their impact on health among adolescents and young adults: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 3996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083996

Morgan, K., Lowthian, E., Hawkins, J., Hallingberg, B., Alhumud, M., Roberts, C., & Moore, G. (2021). Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption from 1998–2017: Findings from the health behaviour in school-aged children/school health research network in Wales. PLOS ONE, 16(4), e0248847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248847

Myszkowska-Ryciak, J., Harton, A., Lange, E., Laskowski, W., & Gajewska, D. (2019). Nutritional behaviors of Polish adolescents: Results of the wise nutrition—Healthy generation project. Nutrients, 11(7), 1592. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071592

National Center for Health Statistics. (2000). CDC growth charts for the United States: Methods and development. Vital and Health Statistics. http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/

Newland, L. A., Giger, J. T., Lawler, M. J., Roh, S., Brockevelt, B. L., & Schweinle, A. (2019). Multilevel analysis of child and adolescent subjective well-being across 14 countries: Child- and country-level predictors. Child Development, 90(2), 395–413. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13134

Nie, Y., Wang, T., Guo, M., Zhou, F., Ma, W., Qiu, W., & Liu, C. (2025). The relationship between physical activity, life satisfaction, emotional regulation, and physical self-esteem among college students. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 15899. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00651-w

Niu, Y., Guo, X., Cai, H., & Luo, L. (2024). The relation between family socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in mainland China: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1292411. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1292411

Öztürk, M., & Erdoğan, S. (2010). Çocukların beslenme alışkanlıklarının sağlık davranışı etkileşim modeline göre incelenmesi [Doktora tezi]. İstanbul Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü.

Parker, K., Timperio, A., Salmon, J., Villanueva, K., Brown, H., Esteban-Cornejo, I., & Veiga, O. L. (2021). Activity-related typologies and longitudinal change in physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents: The UP&DOWN study. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 10(4), 447–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.02.004

Pate, R. R., Saunders, R. P., Ross, S. E. T., & Dowda, M. (2022). Patterns of age-related change in physical activity during the transition from elementary to high school. Preventive Medicine Reports, 26, 101712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101712

Preston, E. C., Ariana, P., Penny, M. E., Frost, M., & Plugge, E. (2015). Prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity and associated factors in Peru. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 38, 472–478. https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rpsp/2015.v38n6/472-478/en

Proctor, C. L., Linley, P. A., & Maltby, J. (2009). Youth life satisfaction: A review of the literature. Journal of Happiness Studies, 10(5), 583–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-008-9110-9

Samakidou, G. E., Koliaki, C. C., Liberopoulos, E. N., & Katsilambros, N. L. (2023). Non-classical aspects of obesity pathogenesis and their relative clinical importance for obesity treatment. Healthcare, 11(9), 1310. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091310

Scaglioni, S., De Cosmi, V., Ciappolino, V., Parazzini, F., Brambilla, P., & Agostoni, C. (2018). Factors influencing children’s eating behaviours. Nutrients, 10(6), 706. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10060706

Shen, J., & Kogan, I. (2021). Gendered body mass and life satisfaction among youth in three Western European immigrant-receiving countries. Frontiers in Sociology, 214. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.695374

Stok, F. M., Renner, B., Clarys, P., Lien, N., Lakerveld, J., & Deliens, T. (2018). Understanding eating behavior during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood: A literature review and perspective on future research directions. Nutrients, 10(6), 667. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10060667

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

Tomyn, A. J., Weinberg, M. K., & Cummins, R. A. (2015). Intervention efficacy among ‘at risk’ adolescents: A test of subjective wellbeing homeostasis theory. Social Indicators Research, 120(3), 883–895. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0619-5

Tudor-Locke, C., Craig, C. L., Rowe, D. A., Spence, J. C., Tanaka, S., Blair, S. N., & Hatano, Y. (2011). How many steps/day are enough for children and adolescents? International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8, 78. http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/8/1/78

Twig, G., Tirosh, A., Leiba, A., Levine, H., Ben-Ami Shor, D., Derazne, E., & Kark, J. D. (2016). BMI at age 17 years and diabetes mortality in midlife: A nationwide cohort of 2.3 million adolescents. Diabetes Care, 39(11), 1996–2003. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-1203

Veenhoven, R. (2021). Will healthy eating make you happier? A research synthesis using an online findings archive. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 16(1), 221–240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-019-09748-7

Voráčová, J., Sigmund, E., Sigmundová, D., & Kalman, M. (2016). Family affluence and the eating habits of 11- to 15-year-old Czech adolescents: HBSC 2002 and 2014. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(10), 1034. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13101034

Wadsworth, T., & Pendergast, P. M. (2014). Obesity (sometimes) matters: The importance of context in the relationship between obesity and life satisfaction. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 55(2), 196–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221465145333

Wahl, D. R., Villinger, K., König, L. M., Ziesemer, K., Schupp, H. T., & Renner, B. (2017). Healthy food choices are happy food choices: Evidence from a real-life sample using smartphone-based assessments. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 17069. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17262-9

World Health Organization. (2021). Obesity and overweight: Key facts. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

World Obesity Federation. (2024). World Obesity Atlas 2024. World Obesity Federation. https://data.worldobesity.org/publications/WOF-Obesity-Atlas-v7.pdf

Yoo, C., Kahng, S. K., & Kim, H. (2017). The trajectory of life satisfaction and its associated factors among adolescents in South Korea. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 27(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185385.2016.1261732

Zaborskis, A., Grincaitė, M., Kavaliauskienė, A., & Tesler, R. (2021). Family structure and affluence in adolescent eating behaviour: A cross-national study in forty-one countries. Public Health Nutrition, 24(9), 2521–2532. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020003584

Zaborskis, A., Kavaliauskienė, A., Dimitrova, E., & Eriksson, C. (2022). Pathways of adolescent life satisfaction association with family support, structure and affluence: A cross-national comparative analysis. Medicina, 58(7), 970. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58070970

Zaborskis, A., Lagunaite, R., Busha, R., & Lubiene, J. (2012). Trend in eating habits among Lithuanian school-aged children in context of social inequality: Three cross-sectional surveys 2002, 2006 and 2010. BMC Public Health, 12(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-52

Zhang, L., Peng, X., Wang, Y., Cao, R., Zhang, Z., & Fu, L. (2022). What is the relationship between body mass index, sex hormones, leptin, and irisin in children and adolescents? A path analysis. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 10, 823424. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.823424

Zhang, X., Liu, J., Ni, Y., Yi, C., Fang, Y., Ning, Q., & Li, Z. (2024). Global prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 178(8), 800–813. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.1576

Ziegeldorf, A., Schoene, D., et al. (2024). Associations of family socioeconomic indicators and physical activity of primary school-aged children: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 24, 19174–6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19174-6




DOI: https://doi.org/10.53016/jerp.v6i2.321

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The Journal of Education and Recreation Patterns © 2023 by The Journal of Education and Recreation Patterns is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0