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Comparative Study
. 2008 Oct;16(10):2266-71.
doi: 10.1038/oby.2008.347. Epub 2008 Jul 17.

Weight-specific health-related quality of life in adolescents with extreme obesity

Avani C Modi  1 , Tara J Loux, Stephen K Bell, Carroll M Harmon, Thomas H Inge, Meg H Zeller
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Weight-specific health-related quality of life in adolescents with extreme obesity

Avani C Modi et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 Oct.

Abstract

The objectives of this multisite study were to: (i) examine differences by gender and race on generic and weight- specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with extreme obesity (BMI > or = 40 kg/m(2)) and (ii) explore HRQOL differences based on treatment pursued (behavioral vs. bariatric surgery). Study participants included 145 obese adolescents (mean age = 15.3 years; 68% female; 46% black; mean BMI = 50.6) referred to pediatric weight management programs. Participants completed generic (PedsQL) and weight-specific (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids (IWQOL-Kids)) HRQOL measures. Generic and weight-specific measures indicated global (e.g., all domains) HRQOL impairment and significant differences by race. Physical, emotional, and social scores of the PedsQL (Ps < 0.01) and the physical comfort and body esteem scores of the IWQOL-Kids (Ps < 0.001) were significantly higher for black compared to white adolescents with extreme obesity. Extremely obese adolescents pursuing bariatric surgery reported similar HRQOL to adolescents pursuing behavioral treatment (n = 30 matched pairs). HRQOL did not differ for extremely obese adolescents based on type of treatment sought, but race/ethnicity should be considered when characterizing these youth. Although racial differences in adolescent body image/esteem have been reported, it is unknown why black adolescents with extreme obesity would report less impact of weight on their physical functioning. Overall, these data suggest that HRQOL is not homogenous in adolescents with extreme obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURE

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Differences by race on health-related quality of life: (a) self-reported PedsQL scores, (b) parent-proxy PedsQL scores, (c) Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids (IWQOL-Kids) scores, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Differences on health-related quality of life based on treatment type, controlling for BMI. All comparisons were nonsignificant. IWQOL-Kids, Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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