Purpose:
To compare physical fitness according to dimensions of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in Brazilian adolescents.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 588 adolescents (263 female) aged 12 to 17 years from a private school in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. HRQOL was assessed by the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire. Four components of physical fitness were assessed: adiposity (sum of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds), muscular strength (handgrip test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (20m Shuttle run test). Differences in physical fitness across terciles of HRQOL were assessed using Analysis of Covariance.

Results:
Adolescents with higher scores (3^rd Tercile) of HRQOL in the physical well-being dimension presented higher cardiorespiratory fitness and lower skinfold thickness (p < 0.05) compared to adolescents with lower scores (1^stTercile). Those with higher scores in psychological well-being and social support and peer relation dimensions also presented lower skinfold thickness (p < 0.05). Performance in handgrip strength and flexibility did not differ across terciles of HRQOL in any dimension analyzed (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:
Adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness seem to contribute to the physical well-being dimension of HQOL in Brazilian adolescents. Furthermore, adiposity also contributes to psychological well-being and social support and peer relations. Adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness should be monitored to avoid low HRQOL in Brazilian adolescents.