Impact of Obesity on Health-Related Quality of Life among Children.
- Author:
Yon Jung KWON
1
;
Jo Eun JEONG
;
Hyu Jung HUH
;
Hyun CHO
;
Dai Jin KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. kdj922@chollian.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Childhood obesity;
Health-related quality of life;
Body image;
Self-esteem
- MeSH:
Body Image;
Body Mass Index;
Child*;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Humans;
Obesity*;
Pediatric Obesity;
Psychology;
Quality of Life*;
World Health Organization
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Biological Psychiatry
2015;22(3):128-134
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and body mass index (BMI) of obese children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 387 children. HRQoL was measured with the PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scale. BMI was classified according to the World Health Organization Asia-Pacific obesity guidelines. Psychosocial factors (body image, self-esteem, and depression/anxiety) were also measured. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation and Path analysis. RESULTS: Obese participants reported lower score for physical evaluation, self-esteem, appearance evaluation component of body image, total HRQoL score, and physical/emotional/social function components of HRQoL ; they reported higher score for depression/anxiety. In addition, results indicated that as BMI increased, appearance evaluation, total HRQoL score, and social function component of HRQoL dropped. Path analysis revealed that BMI did not directly affect HRQoL ; however, BMI directly affects body image and self-esteem, indirectly mediates depression/anxiety, and thereby impacts on an individual's HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Body image and self-esteem, rather than BMI itself, have more influence on HRQoL. This reinforces the importance of therapeutic intervention to enhance body image and self-esteem among obese children.
