Medicina (Kaunas) 2009; 45 (7): 565-573

Key words: quality of life; overweight; obesity; psychological factors.

Summary. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of overweight, obesity, and conditions related to body weight on quality of life and to assess the relationship between body weight and satisfaction with body image between middle-aged Lithuanian inhabitants of Kaunas city.

Material and methods. A random sample of 1403 Kaunas men and women, aged 35–64 years and stratified by age and sex, was examined in 2001–2002. Response rate was 62.4%. Examination included physical measurements and information on risk factors related to lifestyle. Quality of life was assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life 100 questionnaire. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the effect of excess body weight and conditions linked to body weight on quality of life.

Results. Less than three-fourths (73%) of men and women had excess body weight (body mass index, ≥25.0 kg/m²). Obesity in a complex with other analyzed factors had a negative effect on men’s quality of life in the independence domain as compared to ones with BMI of <25.0 kg/m² (OR=1.87; 95% CI=1.08–3.26). Obesity for women increased the odds of having worse quality of life in the psychological and independence domains. Mean scores of body image and appearance facet for men with normal body mass were 73.5, for overweigh ones 72.2, and for obese 66.8 (for women 69.9, 63.3, and 52.9, respectively; P=0.0001).

Conclusions. Among women excess body weight was associated with impaired quality of life. Men with excess body weight reported better overall quality of life. Obese persons were less satisfied with their body image as compared to ones with normal body weight.

Correspondence to M. Bacevičienė, Institute of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Sukilėlių 17, 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: migleb@itc.kmu.lt

Received 19 March 2008, accepted 3 July 2009