The relationship between body weight and health-related quality of life of postmenopausal women attended at primary health care in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Postmenopausal women are particularly affected by obesity. Although it is well documented that obesity is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality, less is known about the impact of obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body weight and the physical and mental components of health-related quality of life of the postmenopausal women attended at primary health care in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This cross-sectional study evaluated 200 postmenopausal women in two groups of 100 each (i.e. overweight/ obese and normal weight). The respondents were supposed to fill out a questionnaire that included questions about their age, years since menopause and the SF-36 questionnaire. Women were weighed and measured, and BMI was calculated. The mean values for the mental component summary were significantly lower in the overweight/obese (59.08±21.86) than in the normal weight group (67.05±19.02) (p=0.006). The mean values for the physical component summary were significantly lower in the overweight/obese (57.56 ±22.81) than in the normal weight group (67.38±21.85) (p=0.002). There was not significant relationship between body weight and the physical and mental components of health-related quality of life. Identification of predicting factors of HRQoL, such as body mass index can help to improve the HRQoL, of these women allowing planning practical interventions.