Abstract
Purpose
Obesity adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Most studies have used body mass index (BMI) to measure
obesity. Other measures of obesity, such as waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), may be better predictors
of cardiovascular disease and mortality. We, therefore, examined the associations between other anthropometric measures and
HRQoL in a multi-ethnic Asian population.
obesity. Other measures of obesity, such as waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), may be better predictors
of cardiovascular disease and mortality. We, therefore, examined the associations between other anthropometric measures and
HRQoL in a multi-ethnic Asian population.
Methods
In this follow-up study from four previous cross-sectional surveys, HRQoL was measured, at follow-up, using the Short-Form
36 version 2 (SF-36v2) questionnaire. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between anthropometric measures
[BMI, WC, waist residuals (WR) (generated by regressing WC on BMI), WHR, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and height (Ht)] and
HRQoL. We compared the models’ R
2, Akaike’s information criteria (AIC), and Schwarz Bayesian information criteria (BIC) from the different models.
36 version 2 (SF-36v2) questionnaire. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between anthropometric measures
[BMI, WC, waist residuals (WR) (generated by regressing WC on BMI), WHR, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and height (Ht)] and
HRQoL. We compared the models’ R
2, Akaike’s information criteria (AIC), and Schwarz Bayesian information criteria (BIC) from the different models.
Results
Among 4,981 subjects, 47.6 % were men aged 50.6 ± 12.2 and women aged 49.3 ± 11.6 years. All gender-specific anthropometric
measures were significantly correlated with BMI, except WR. After adjusting for known determinants of HRQoL, we found significant
associations between BMI, WC and WHtR with SF-36v2 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores in women but not men. In contrast,
after adjusting for known determinants of HRQoL, WR and WHR were significantly associated with SF-36v2 Mental Component Summary
(MCS) scores in men, but not women. R², AIC and BIC were similar for all anthropometric measures in the final model.
measures were significantly correlated with BMI, except WR. After adjusting for known determinants of HRQoL, we found significant
associations between BMI, WC and WHtR with SF-36v2 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores in women but not men. In contrast,
after adjusting for known determinants of HRQoL, WR and WHR were significantly associated with SF-36v2 Mental Component Summary
(MCS) scores in men, but not women. R², AIC and BIC were similar for all anthropometric measures in the final model.
Conclusions
The associations between measures of central obesity and HRQoL differed between men and women. In women, associations were
seen with SF-36v2 PCS, but measures of central obesity did not have significant associations with HRQoL after controlling
for BMI. In men, an association between WC and SF-36v2 MCS was statistically significant independent of BMI. These gender
differences require further investigation.
seen with SF-36v2 PCS, but measures of central obesity did not have significant associations with HRQoL after controlling
for BMI. In men, an association between WC and SF-36v2 MCS was statistically significant independent of BMI. These gender
differences require further investigation.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Brief Communication
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0193-8
- Authors
- Maudrene L. S. Tan, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Hwee-Lin Wee, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Jeannette Lee, School of Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Stefan Ma, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore, Singapore
- Derrick Heng, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore, Singapore
- E-Shyong Tai, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Julian Thumboo, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343