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Weight‐specific Health‐related Quality of Life in Adolescents With Extreme Obesity
Author(s) -
Modi Avani C.,
Loux Tara J.,
Bell Stephen K.,
Harmon Carroll M.,
Inge Thomas H.,
Zeller Meg H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2008.347
Subject(s) - medicine , obesity , quality of life (healthcare) , ethnic group , body mass index , weight management , race (biology) , weight loss , gerontology , demography , physical therapy , botany , nursing , sociology , anthropology , biology
The objectives of this multisite study were to: (i) examine differences by gender and race on generic and weight‐ specific health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m 2 ) and (ii) explore HRQOL differences based on treatment pursued (behavioral vs. bariatric surgery). Study participants included 145 obese adolescents (mean age = 15.3 years; 68% female; 46% black; mean BMI = 50.6) referred to pediatric weight management programs. Participants completed generic (PedsQL) and weight‐specific (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life‐Kids (IWQOL‐Kids)) HRQOL measures. Generic and weight‐specific measures indicated global (e.g., all domains) HRQOL impairment and significant differences by race. Physical, emotional, and social scores of the PedsQL ( P s < 0.01) and the physical comfort and body esteem scores of the IWQOL‐Kids ( P s < 0.001) were significantly higher for black compared to white adolescents with extreme obesity. Extremely obese adolescents pursuing bariatric surgery reported similar HRQOL to adolescents pursuing behavioral treatment ( n = 30 matched pairs). HRQOL did not differ for extremely obese adolescents based on type of treatment sought, but race/ethnicity should be considered when characterizing these youth. Although racial differences in adolescent body image/esteem have been reported, it is unknown why black adolescents with extreme obesity would report less impact of weight on their physical functioning. Overall, these data suggest that HRQOL is not homogenous in adolescents with extreme obesity.