Abstract
Abstract *Objectives:* This study investigates the longitudinal association between 5-year weight change and quality of life (QoL) in Dutch men and women.*Design:* A prospective cohort study (1998, 2000, 2003) in a population based sample. Subjects: 2,414 men and women from the Maastricht region of the Netherlands.*Measurements:* QoL outcomes were measured by the RAND-36 (eight subscales and two overall composite scores, physical and mental health (PCS and MCS)). Weight was measured on a scale. Weight change was calculated as change in weight between 1998 and 2003. In addition, 5-year weight change was also categorized in three groups: weight losers, weight maintainers, and weight gainers. All analyses were stratified for gender. *Results:* A total of 598 men (50%) and 646 women (54%) maintained their weight, 177 men (15%) and 163 women (14%) lost more than 2.5 kg, and 410 men (35%) and 379 women (32%) gained more than 2.5 kg. Associations between 5-year weight change and QoL were found for MCS ([beta] = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02∣0.24) in women, and PCS ([beta] = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.17∣-0.00; [beta] = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.19∣-0.01) in men and women respectively. Moreover, associations between weight change and QoL were most pronounced for women of normal weight and obese men. Furthermore, in both genders, weight gainers showed a greater reduction on all physical components of QoL compared with weight maintainers. However, after 5-years weight gainers and weight losers did not significantly differ from weight maintainers in the mean change of MCS and PCS.*Conclusion:* Weight gain was inversely associated with the physical domains of QoL in women and obese men. Conversely, in women, weight gain was positively associated with the mental domains of QoL. No differences between weight losers and weight gainers were found in mean change of QoL compared with weight maintainers.
Highlights
Worldwide, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing rapidly
Associations between 5-year weight change and quality of life (QoL) were found for MCS (β = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02|0.24) in women, and PCS (β = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.17|-0.00; β = 0.10, 95% CI: -0.19|-0.01) in men and women respectively
Descriptive statistics show that in both men and women QoL decreases with higher Body mass index (BMI) categories, most pronounced between overweight and obese subjects
Summary
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing rapidly. This increase is associated with considerable costs and higher risk of developing diseases. Few prospective studies exist on the association between weight change and QoL Most of these studies are limited to obese subjects only.(5, 10-12) Fine et al(13) investigated, prospectively, the impact of weight change on QoL in a large sample of women of the general population. They observed that weight gain was consistently associated with declines in physical functioning and vitality, as well as increased levels of pain among women of all ages 15 and baseline BMI levels. No prospective studies have investigated the effect of weight change and QoL 20 among men and women of the general population
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
