It is unclear whether gender differences exist in the relationship between maternal physical activity (PA) and children's quality of life (QoL). We also know relatively little about the potential role of PA in mitigating the adverse impact of family financial hardship. This study examined the interaction effect of PA with social and demographic factors on QoL among 272 primary school children and their mothers in Hong Kong. Children self-reported their QoL, whereas mothers reported their own and children's PA levels. Mothers also reported their family demographics including monthly household income. Moderated multiple regression models were calculated to examine 1) the relationship between maternal PA and child QoL based on child gender and 2) the relationship between family income status and child QoL based on maternal-child PA level status. The relationship between maternal PA and child QoL varied by child gender (β = .21, p = .049), with boys of active mothers showing higher QoL. Compared to active families, when both mothers and boys were inactive, there were bigger income differences in child QoL scores (β = .37, p = .041). No significant differences were observed in girls. The findings have implications for family-based PA interventions and highlights the benefits of PA toward the QoL of male children in disadvantaged families.
Keywords: Income; mothers; physical activity; quality of life; socioeconomic status.