Abstract
BackgroundChildren and adolescents with overweight are known to have lower Quality of Life (QoL) compared to peers with a normal weight. QoL is a broad concept and is associated with many factors. A better understanding of the factors associated with QoL in children and adolescents and their impact on the association between overweight/obesity and QoL, may help to develop and improve interventions that lead to an improvement in QoL in children/adolescents with a high body mass index (BMI > 25). This study investigated the possible mediating effects of somatic complaints and general practitioner consultations in the association between overweight/obesity and QoL in children and adolescents.MethodsFor the current study, cross-sectional data were used from a longitudinal study, the DOERAK cohort, collected from general practitioners’ medical files and through questionnaires. This cohort included 2-18 year olds with normal weight and overweight. Uni- and multivariate regression analyses were performed to gain more insight into variables associated with QoL. Mediation analyses were performed to investigate the possible mediating effects of somatic complaints and GP consultations in the association between overweight/obesity and QoL in children.ResultsIn the total sample of 733 participants aged 2-18 years, participants with normal weight had a significantly higher QoL (83.64, SD10.65) compared to participants with overweight (78.61, SD14.34) and obesity (76.90, SD13.63) at baseline. The multivariate analyses showed that a lower socio-economic status (SES), higher BMIz, and the presence of somatic complaints are associated with a lower QoL. The mediation analysis showed a significant effect of the indirect pathway of BMIz on QoL through somatic complaints (β = − 0.46, 95% CI[− 0.90, − 0.06]).ConclusionBMIz has a direct impact on QoL in children and adolescents. Somatic complaints seem to mediate the effect of BMIz on QoL.
Highlights
Children and adolescents with overweight are known to have lower Quality of Life (QoL) compared to peers with a normal weight
The multivariate analyses showed that a lower socio-economic status (SES), higher Body Mass Index z-score (BMIz), and the presence of somatic complaints are associated with a lower QoL
The mediation analysis showed a significant effect of the indirect pathway of BMIz on QoL through somatic complaints (β = − 0.46, 95% confidence intervals (CI)[− 0.90, − 0.06])
Summary
Children and adolescents with overweight are known to have lower Quality of Life (QoL) compared to peers with a normal weight. This study investigated the possible mediating effects of somatic complaints and general practitioner consultations in the association between overweight/obesity and QoL in children and adolescents. Obesity is Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Room Na‐1923, PO Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands more frequently seen in children (4-11 years) compared to adolescents aged 12-18 years [2]. It impacts physical health and can lead to cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, gastrointestinal and endocrine complaints or diseases [3,4,5]. It has psychological and social consequences [3].
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