Physical Activity and Health Related Quality of Life in Relation to Allergic Disease among Adolescents: Results from a Crosssectional Study

Aim: The overall aim of was to investigate the impact of self-reported allergic disease on physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 1 181 adolescents aged 13-14 years (251 with current allergic disease), participating in the baseline investigation of the Southern Sweden allergy cohort, including a survey with questions on wheeze, rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, PA and HRQoL. Results: Boys were more physically active than girls (mean total PA score 6.47 vs. 5.98, possible range 3-9). There were no noticeable differences in PA among adolescents with and without allergic disease (p ≥ 0.3 in all comparisons). Clear differences in HRQoL were observed depending on current or previous symptoms. In particular, adolescents with both current asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis scored lower HRQoL than the others. Conclusions: Our results support the importance of having health care measures directed towards promoting PA among adolescents with allergic disease as part of their treatment. The noticeable impaired HRQoL during pollen season in relation to self-reported symptoms Observed in the present study warrants further attention by health care.