Obesity and health-related quality of life: results from a weight loss trial

Abstract

Aims: To measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight and obese New Zealand adults taking part in a weight loss trial, and to compare findings with the New Zealand population.

Methods: Individuals (aged over 18 years with a BMI of 28-50 kg/m2) participated in a randomised controlled weight loss trial. HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire.

Results: The 250 study participants had a mean (SD) age of 48 (12) years and a mean BMI of 35.4 (5.3) kg/m2. Mean physical component (PCS) and mental component summary scores (MCS) were 47.2 (9.0) and 46.9 (11.1) respectively. Participants in the highest BMI tertile (>37 kg/m2) reported significantly lower PCS scores compared with those in the middle and lowest tertiles (p=0.01), but no significant differences were seen in MCS scores (p=0.65). Comparison with population norms revealed significantly lower mean scores in all 8 SF-36 domains except mental health. No significant effect of modest weight loss on HRQoL was seen.

Conclusions: These overweight and obese New Zealand adults experienced significantly impaired HRQoL compared to the New Zealand population. Small reductions in weight had no significant impact on HRQoL in this substantially overweight population.