Quality of life and its relationship with different anthropometric indicators in adults with obesity

Abstract

Abtract Introduction: Obesity compromises the quality of life. However, few studies have investigated the influence of different anthropometric indicators on the quality of life of this population. Objective: We aimed to correlate the physical and mental components of quality of life and verify its association with different anthropometric indicators in adults with obesity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in adults with obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²]. The quality of life was investigated using the SF-36 questionnaire, with scores ranging from 0 (worst-case scenario) to 100 (best scenario for the outcome). The anthropometric indicators used were BMI, waist circumference, waist/height ratio (WHR), and lean and fat body mass. For analysis, Spearman’s correlation and crude and adjusted linear regression for sociodemographic variables were used. Results: A total of 75 subjects (nfemales = 47; µage= 34.8 ± 7.1 years) were included, and their means of the physical and mental components were 64.5 ± 15.9 and 50.8 ± 21.3 points, respectively. The social functioning domain presented a strong positive correlation (r = 0.760) with the mental health domain, and eight moderate correlations (0.400 ≤ r ≥ 0.699) were found between the different domains of the questionnaire. The functional capacity domain and the physical component presented a moderate negative correlation with the WHR (r = -0.402 and r = -0.407, respectively). After adjustment, the WHR was inversely associated with the physical component (β = -1.197; p = 0.002). Conclusion: In adults with obesity, important correlations were observed between the physical and mental components of quality of life, and the waist/height ratio was the only anthropometric indicator correlated and associated with the physical component of the outcome.

Body size, form, composition, and a healthy lifestyle associates with health‐related quality of life among Portuguese children

“…As measures or indicators of obesity, we observed that the WHtR, as well as the suprailiac and the subscapular skinfolds had the major correlations to HRQoL in both sexes (for boys, also body fat percentage; for girls, also waist circumference). An association between higher WHtR and poorer HRQoL among the adult population was previously reported (Tozetto et al, 2021). An increase in abdominal fat may be associated with decreased gene expression related to increased muscle mass maintenance which contributes to physical damage over time (Bonfante et al, 2017).…”