Health-Related Quality of Life in Those with Persistent or Transient Obesity Phenotypes during Two Decades: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Abstract

Introduction: The current study aimed to investigate the association of three stable obesity phenotypes (persistent metabolically healthy normal weight [P MHNW], persistent metabolically healthy obese [P MHO], persistent metabolically unhealthy obese [P MUO]), and one transient (MHO to MUO) obesity phenotype throughout 18 years with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: 1,932 participants (649 men and 1,283 women) who completed the HRQoL questionnaire during 2016–2019 were recruited in the current investigation. Based on the body mass index and metabolic status, participants were classified into four obesity phenotypes, including (1) P MHNW, (2) P MHO, (3) P MUO, and (4) transient from MHO to MUO. The HRQoL was compared between groups using analysis of covariance. Participants’ age, marital status, occupation status, education level, physical activity, and smoking were adjusted. Results: After adjustment for confounder variables, a significant difference among obesity phenotypes was indicated in (physical component summary) PCS scores of both sexes and (mental component summary) MCS scores just in women (p value = <0.001). The P MUO had the lowest scores in PCS and MCS, and P MHO had the highest MCS scores compared to other obesity phenotypes in either sex. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate the negative effect of long-term concurrence of obesity and metabolic disorders on the HRQoL of adults. However, long-term obesity alone or loss of metabolic health in the short term did not affect individuals’ assessment of their physical and mental health. These findings highlight the importance of preventive interventions in people with obesity; also indicate the need for awareness-raising strategies about healthy lifestyles to improve the quality of life in society.