Abstract
BackgroundLittle is known about the metabolic factors associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among obese youths. The aim of this study is to assess metabolic correlates of HRQOL in a clinical sample of Taiwanese overweight and obese (OW/OB) adolescents.MethodsOW/OB adolescents (age 11–19 years) were recruited and compared to their normal-weight counterparts in a tertiary hospital. HRQOL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Student t tests and Cohen’s d were used to compare the differences in the PedsQL scores between normal-weight and OW/OB participants who were stratified by their cumulative number of cardiometabolic risk factors (CRF). Pearson’s correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were applied to identify predictors of PedsQL.ResultsOW/OB adolescents (n = 60) reported lower PedsQL scores than those of normal-weight peers. The negative effects were even larger in OW/OB participants with more than one CRF. Body mass index z-scores and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were negatively correlated with overall and subscales of PedsQL (r = − 0.283 to − 0.431). Multivariate linear models showed ALT to be the most salient factor associated with poor obesity-related HRQOL.ConclusionTaiwanese OW/OB adolescents, particularly those having additional CRF, reported worse HRQOL. Impaired liver functions may predispose OW/OB subjects to even worse HRQOL.
Highlights
Little is known about the metabolic factors associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among obese youths
A total of 60 overweight and obese adolescents aged 13.3 (±2.3) years, with male predominance (n = 40, 66.7%), were recruited with an average body mass index (BMI) of 29.6 (±4.6) kg/m2, which corresponded to an average z-score of 3.58 (±1.5)
Model 3 added metabolic and lifestyle factors with stepwise methods in the analysis Model 4 further included three interaction terms between BMI z-score and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HDL cholesterol and moderate-to-vigorous PA with stepwise methods in the analysis Pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) represents the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0, BMI body mass index, ALT alanine aminotransferase, HDL high-density lipoprotein, PA physical activity, n.s., not significant the interaction between BMI and ALT levels in model 4 shows that there is a significant interaction between these 2 factors
Summary
Little is known about the metabolic factors associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among obese youths. Childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes including metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, polycystic. In addition to these negative effects on physical health, obesity may affect psychosocial functioning, as well. Obese children and adolescents reported lower HRQOL, in the physical and social domains, than their normal-weight peers. This is confirmed in both community and clinical samples [12]. We hypothesized that metabolic derangements related to obesity further impaired the HRQOL for overweight and obese teenagers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
