Session number: 1094
Abstract title: The Relationship Between Body Weight and Health-Related Quality of Life in Men
Author(s):
WS Yancy, Jr. - Durham VAMC and Duke University Medical Center
MK Olsen - Durham VAMC and Duke University Medical Center
EC Westman - Duke University Medical Center
HB Bosworth - Durham VAMC and Duke University Medical Center
D Edelman - Durham VAMC and Duke University Medical Center
Objectives: Previous studies demonstrating the inverse relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) showed that the relationship predominates in females. Furthermore, these studies may not have adequately considered comorbid illness. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between body weight and HRQOL in males while statistically adjusting for comorbid illness severity.
Methods: Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Durham Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center outpatient clinic. Patients: 1182 male outpatients. Measurements: HRQOL and body mass index (BMI). Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship of BMI with each of the eight subscales from the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 while adjusting for age, race, comorbid illness, depression and physical activity. Beta represents the deviation in mean score from the referent BMI group (25-29.9 kg/m2).
Results: Participants had a mean age of 54.6 years (SD=5.6); 69% were Caucasian, 29% were African-American. The distribution of BMI was: <18.5 kg/m2 (1%), 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (20%), 25-29.9 kg/m2 (43%), 30-34.9 kg/m2 (25%), 35-39.9 kg/m2 (8%) and >= 40 kg/m2 (3%). Mean SF-36 subscale scores were 27% lower than U.S. norms (mean: -18.7 points; range: -32.9 on Role-Physical to -3.5 on Mental Health). After adjusting for covariates, individuals with BMI >= 40 kg/m2 had significantly lower scores compared with normal weight individuals on the Role-Physical (beta = -17.5, p <= 0.05) and Vitality (beta=-12.3, p <= 0.01) subscales. On the Physical Functioning subscale, lower scores were seen at BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2 (beta= -6.3, p <= 0.05) and BMI >= 40 kg/m2 (beta= -17.4, p <= 0.001). On the Bodily Pain subscale, lower scores were seen at BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 (beta= -4.5, p <= 0.05), BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2 (beta= -4.1, p <= 0.05), BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2 (beta= -6.7, p <= 0.05) and BMI >= 40 kg/m2 (beta= -6.3, p <= 0.05).
Conclusions: The inverse relationship between body weight and physical aspects of HRQOL persisted in a population of male outpatients. Bodily pain was most prominently affected by body weight.
Impact statement: The relationship between body weight and bodily pain warrants more attention in health care and health care research.