Health Education Research Advance Access originally published online on August 8, 2005
Health Education Research 2006 21(1):146-156; doi:10.1093/her/cyh050
The relationship between active living and health-related quality of life: income as a moderator
Departments of 1 Community and Behavioral Health and 2 Health and Sport Studies, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 1215 Westlawn, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
3 Correspondence to: J. J. Peterson; E-mail: jana-peterson{at}uiowa.edu
This study used a moderator model to examine the relationship between active living and the physical components of health-related quality of life [i.e. overall physical component of quality of life (PQOL), physical functioning and ability to fulfill physical role] among a randomly selected sample of rural residents (n = 407) from the Midwestern US. Results showed that active living was associated with greater increases in health-related quality of life for those reporting lower income. The effect size of the relationship between active living and the PQOL for the low-income group was over 2 times the effect size for the high-income group. For physical functioning, the effect size of active living for the low-income group was greater than 3 times the effect size for the high-income group. Although active living behaviors have been demonstrated to be less prevalent among those of low socioeconomic status, this group may have the most to gain from these activities. Findings highlight the need for increased and specifically targeted promotion of active living interventions.