Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2006 Mar;14(3):448-57.
doi: 10.1038/oby.2006.59.

Assessing weight-related quality of life in adolescents

Ronette L Kolotkin  1 , Meg Zeller, Avani C Modi, Gregory P Samsa, Nicole Polanichka Quinlan, Jack A Yanovski, Stephen K Bell, David M Maahs, Daniela Gonzales de Serna, Helmut R Roehrig
Affiliations

Assessing weight-related quality of life in adolescents

Ronette L Kolotkin et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: The development of a new weight-related measure to assess quality of life in adolescents [Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL)-Kids] is described.

Research methods and procedures: Using a literature search, clinical experience, and consultation with pediatric clinicians, 73 items were developed, pilot tested, and administered to 642 participants, 11 to 19 years old, recruited from weight loss programs/studies and community samples (mean z-BMI, 1.5; range, -1.2 to 3.4; mean age, 14.0; 60% female; 56% white). Participants completed the 73 items and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and were weighed and measured.

Results: Four factors (27 items) were identified (physical comfort, body esteem, social life, and family relations), accounting for 71% of the variance. The IWQOL-Kids demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. Internal consistency coefficients ranged from 0.88 to 0.95 for scales and equaled 0.96 for total score. Convergent validity was demonstrated with strong correlations between IWQOL-Kids total score and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (r = 0.76, p < 0.0001). Significant differences were found across BMI groups and between clinical and community samples, supporting the sensitivity of this measure. Participants in a weight loss camp demonstrated improved IWQOL-Kids scores, suggesting responsiveness of the IWQOL-Kids to weight loss/social support intervention.

Discussion: The present study provides preliminary evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the IWQOL-Kids, a weight-related quality of life measure for adolescents. Given the rise of obesity in youth, the development of a reliable and valid weight-related measure of quality of life is timely.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in IWQOL-Kids scores after weight loss camp intervention. Significant differences between pre- and post-weight loss camp intervention (p < 0.0001).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ogden CL, Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Johnson CL. Prevalence and trends in overweight among US children and adolescents, 1999–2000. JAMA. 2002;288:1728–1732. - PubMed
    1. Hedley AA, Ogden CL, Johnson CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Flegal KM. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among US children, adolescents, and adults, 1999–2002. JAMA. 2004;291:2847–2850. - PubMed
    1. Jolliffe D. Extent of overweight among US children and adolescents from 1971 to 2000. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004;28:4–9. - PubMed
    1. Whitaker R, Dietz W. Role of the prenatal environment in the development of obesity. J Pediatr. 1998;132:768–776. - PubMed
    1. Zeller MH, Saelens BE, Roehrig H, Kirk S, Daniels SR. Psychological adjustment of obese youth presenting for weight management treatment. Obes Res. 2004;12:1576–1586. - PubMed

Publication types