Association between treatment adherence and quality of life among overweight adolescents.

Instituto Politécnico De Leiria, Portugal ,Pedro Miguel Lopes De Sousa,Pedro Gaspar,Helena Fonseca,Filomena Gaspar,Universidade De Lisboa, Portugal ,Escola Superior De Enfermagem De Lisboa, Portugal

doi:10.1590/0102-311x00171815

Abstract

Overweight is an extra burden for adolescent development and can trigger severe physical and psychosocial problems. This cross-sectional correlational study aimed to analyze the association between treatment adherence and obesity-related quality of life among overweight adolescents. The sample consisted of 94 adolescents attending a specialized Pediatric Obesity Clinic in Portugal, 48.94% of whom were boys and 51.06% girls, with a median age of 14.17 years (SD = 1.51). A positive correlation was found between obesity-related quality of life and adherence to weight control. The influence of parents and caregivers on the adherence to weight control is significantly associated with increased physical comfort, better social life and family relations. These results highlight the importance of behavioral change and adherence to weight control as pillars of a better quality of life among overweight adolescents. Obesity management programs need to focus on multiple criteria of treatment effectiveness, such as obesity-related quality of life.

Highlights

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 170 million children are estimated to be overweight
The main objective of this research was to investigate the association between adherence to weight control and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among overweight adolescents
The sample consisted of 94 adolescents who are attending a specialized Pediatric Obesity Clinic, in Portugal, 48.94% of whom were boys and 51.06% girls, with a median age of 14.17 years (SD = 1.51)

Summary

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 170 million children (aged under 18) are estimated to be overweight. Obesity is currently the fifth leading risk factor for early mortality and is responsible for 7-41% of malignant disease cases, 44% of diabetes and 23% of ischemic heart disease cases 1. The condition, which is considered by the WHO to be the primary cause of global preventable diseases, leads to a significant decrease in life expectancy, due to the vast number of associated comorbidities [2,3]. Obesity may add an extra burden to this already complex process 5. It is essential to invest in effective treatment of overweight adolescents 6, because adolescent obesity: (a) has a significant impact on physical and psychosocial health, (b) is an important risk factor for early morbidity and mortality in adulthood, and (c) is a major threat to the sustained increase in life expectancy 7

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion