Sport Physiology

Sport Physiology

Investigating the relationship between physical activities and quality of life with body mass index, sleeping and eating habits of children

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Maryam Sadeghi 1
Ali Mostafaloo 2
Nasser Bay 3
1 MSc. Department of Educational Sciences, GKM.C, Islamic Azad University, Gonbad Kavoos, Iran.
2 Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, GKM.C., Islamic Azad University, Gonbad kavoos, Iran.
3 Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Az.C., Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr, Iran.
10.22089/spj.2026.18505.2401
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
Adequate and high-quality sleep, regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, and overall quality of life are key factors in the physical, cognitive, and psychological development of preschool children. Evidence suggests that sleep deprivation, unhealthy dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and low quality of life can negatively affect children’s growth and health, leading to physical problems, behavioral disorders, reduced cognitive abilities, and metabolic issues. Additionally, body mass index (BMI) is a crucial indicator of children’s physical health and is closely related to lifestyle, nutrition, and sleep patterns. Examining the relationships among these variables can help design comprehensive interventions to promote children’s health. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity and quality of life on BMI, sleep habits, and dietary behaviors in preschool children and to assess the role of multidimensional lifestyle factors in enhancing their physical and psychological well-being.

Materials and Methods
This descriptive-correlational study included all preschool children in Minoodasht during the 2023–2024 academic year (n=400). Based on Krejcie and Morgan’s table, a sample of 196 children was selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using validated instruments, including the Shahlaei Physical Activity Questionnaire (2011), Parent-Reported Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Varni et al., 2001), BMI measurement, Owens Sleep Habits Questionnaire (2000), and HFFQ Dietary Habits Questionnaire (1995). Data Analysis: Data were analyzed using multiple regression and Spearman correlation. The significance level was set at p<0.05. These methods allowed for the examination of correlations and predictive relationships between variables and clarified the independent and interactive effects of physical activity and quality of life on BMI, sleep, and dietary behaviors in children.

Results
Physical activity was positively and significantly associated with BMI (p=0.005) and children’s dietary habits (p=0.0001). Quality of life showed positive and significant associations with BMI and dietary habits (p=0.001) and a negative and significant association with sleep habits (p=0.0001). Regression analysis indicated that quality of life significantly predicted BMI, while physical activity, together with quality of life, predicted sleep and dietary habits. These findings demonstrate that physical activity, quality of life, dietary habits, and BMI independently and interactively affect children’s physical and psychological health, as well as their sleep patterns and nutritional behaviors.

Conclusion
The findings of this study indicate that regular physical activity, optimal quality of life, healthy dietary habits, and appropriate BMI are significantly associated with improved sleep patterns in preschool children. Multidimensional interactions between lifestyle, nutrition, and physical status contribute to enhanced physical and psychological health and promote cognitive and social development. These results highlight the importance of comprehensive, evidence-based educational and physical activity interventions in preschool and home settings to ensure holistic child development and reinforce long-term healthy behaviors. Body composition is increasingly recognized as a multidimensional construct that interacts not only with physiological parameters but also with psychological factors. Among these, early maladaptive schemas—deeply rooted emotional and cognitive patterns formed in childhood—play a critical role in shaping health behaviors, including exercise participation and dietary regulation. Another key psychological construct is self-control, which directly influences one’s ability to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Despite increasing research on the psychological dimensions of physical health, few studies have examined how variations in body composition correlate with cognitive schemas and self-regulation, particularly in physically active individuals. Given the global rise in obesity and the complex biopsychosocial factors involved in weight management, understanding these relationships can enhance the design of holistic health interventions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body composition (categorized by BMI: obese, overweight, fit, and underweight), early maladaptive schemas, and levels of self-control among physically active men and women. A further aim was to explore the impact of gender differences and BMI categories on the interplay between cognitive-emotional patterns and physical health behaviors.

Article Message
This study showed that regular physical activity, appropriate quality of life, healthy eating habits, and a balanced body mass index can significantly improve children's sleep habits. Therefore, children's educational and training programs should include daily physical activity, attention to proper nutrition, maintaining a healthy body mass index, and creating a supportive environment for children's physical and mental development. The research findings emphasize that the interaction of lifestyle, nutrition, physical condition, and sleep quality plays a key role in children's physical, cognitive, and mental development and can be used as the basis for designing evidence-based educational and sports interventions.

Ethical Considerations
In this study, in addition to writing instructions at the beginning of the questionnaire, the purpose of the study was clearly explained to the participants; they were also assured that their findings were confidential and would be published in the article without mentioning their personal information. Then, the participants completed the consent form to participate in the research. In addition, throughout the text of the article, confidentiality in the use of internal and external sources and accuracy in citations were observed.

Authors’ Contributions
This research is derived from a master's thesis. All authors contributed equally to the ideation, data collection, data analysis, and writing of the paper.

Conflict of Interest
According to the authors, this article does not have any conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments
The authors of this study hereby express their gratitude to all participants and their families who participated in this study and provided the opportunity to conduct the research.
Keywords
Physical Activity
Quality of Life
Body Mass Index
Sleep and Nutritional Habits

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 14 September 2025
  • Revise Date 21 April 2026
  • Accept Date 26 April 2026