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. 2012 Nov-Dec;37(10):1148-56.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jss090. Epub 2012 Sep 12.

Impaired health-related quality of life in preschoolers with obesity

Elizabeth S Kuhl  1 , Joseph R Rausch, James W Varni, Lori J Stark
Affiliations

Impaired health-related quality of life in preschoolers with obesity

Elizabeth S Kuhl et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2012 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine whether health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for treatment-seeking preschoolers with obesity (N = 60) differed from preschoolers in a nonclinical comparison sample (N = 457).

Methods: Parents in both samples completed the parent-proxy form of the pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL). Between-group comparisons were conducted to examine differences for all scales and summary scores of the PedsQL.

Results: Parent proxy-reported HRQOL was significantly lower for treatment-seeking preschoolers with obesity for all scales and summary scores except school functioning. Differences on the total scale score met the criterion for being a clinically important difference.

Conclusions: Our study suggests treatment-seeking families perceive worse HRQOL for children with obesity as early as the preschool years. Discussion of HRQOL may be a more effective strategy for health care professionals in broaching the topic of weight with parents and identifying families who may be more receptive to weight management suggestions for preschoolers.

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