Abstract
Obesity not only increases risk for morbidity/mortality, but also impacts the quality of life of obese individuals. In the
United States, black women have the highest prevalence of obesity of any other group with approximately 80% of black women
over age 20 having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. We aimed to examine the association between BMI and quality of life in this high risk population compared to this association
in white women, using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL)-Lite questionnaire. Data from 172 black women (mean
BMI = 35.7; age = 40.5) and 171 white women (mean BMI = 35.5; age = 40.4) were collected between 2000 and 2010 analyzed in
2010. The mean IWQOL-Lite total score was 81.6 for black women compared to 66.9 for white women, a statistically significant
difference. Hierarchical linear regression models revealed a significant BMI-by-race interaction indicating that the relationship
between BMI and IWQOL-Lite score was moderated by race. Our findings suggest notable differences in weight-related quality
of life in black and white women. At similar BMIs, black women consistently reported better quality of life than white women
on all IWQOL-Lite subscales. The greatest difference in IWQOL-Lite scores between black and white women was seen in the self-esteem
subscale. Additional research is needed to understand how to incorporate the weight perspectives of black women into weight
management messages and interventions.
United States, black women have the highest prevalence of obesity of any other group with approximately 80% of black women
over age 20 having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. We aimed to examine the association between BMI and quality of life in this high risk population compared to this association
in white women, using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL)-Lite questionnaire. Data from 172 black women (mean
BMI = 35.7; age = 40.5) and 171 white women (mean BMI = 35.5; age = 40.4) were collected between 2000 and 2010 analyzed in
2010. The mean IWQOL-Lite total score was 81.6 for black women compared to 66.9 for white women, a statistically significant
difference. Hierarchical linear regression models revealed a significant BMI-by-race interaction indicating that the relationship
between BMI and IWQOL-Lite score was moderated by race. Our findings suggest notable differences in weight-related quality
of life in black and white women. At similar BMIs, black women consistently reported better quality of life than white women
on all IWQOL-Lite subscales. The greatest difference in IWQOL-Lite scores between black and white women was seen in the self-esteem
subscale. Additional research is needed to understand how to incorporate the weight perspectives of black women into weight
management messages and interventions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s11482-011-9160-8
- Authors
- Tiffany L. Cox, Department of Health Education and Health Behavior, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St. #820, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
- Jamy D. Ard, Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South Webb 318, Birmingham, AL 35294-3360, USA
- T. Mark Beasley, Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South RPHB 309E, Birmingham, AL 35294-3360, USA
- Jose R. Fernandez, Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South Webb 318, Birmingham, AL 35294-3360, USA
- Virginia J. Howard, Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South RPHB RPHB 210F, Birmingham, AL 35294-3360, USA
- Ronnete L. Kolotkin, Obesity and Quality of Life Consulting, Durham, NC, USA
- Ross D. Crosby, Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND, USA
- Olivia Affuso, Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South RPHB RPHB 210F, Birmingham, AL 35294-3360, USA
- Journal Applied Research in Quality of Life
- Online ISSN 1871-2576
- Print ISSN 1871-2584