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Bodyweight, gender, and quality of life: a population-based longitudinal study

Abstract

Purpose  

The objective of the paper is to describe trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQL) associated with categories
of body mass index (BMI): underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese class I, and obese classes II and III.

Methods  

Data come from the longitudinal Canadian National Population Health Survey. Analyses are based on data for 3,864 men and 4,745
women who were 40+ in 1998/1999 and followed through 2006/2007. HRQL was measured with the Health Utilities Index Mark 3.
Multi-level growth modeling was used.

Results  

HRQL declined with age. For men, there was a large HRQL decrement for being underweight; trajectories for all other BMI categories
were very similar. For women being underweight was associated with higher HRQL at younger ages but lower at older ages. Otherwise,
for women, HRQL was ordered from highest to lowest: normal, overweight, obese class I, and obese classes II and III.

Conclusions  

Given that excess weight is a risk factor for mortality and the development of chronic conditions, the HRQL results for men
are surprising. The HRQL results for women may reflect both the importance of body image on mental health and the health effects
of excess weight.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-13
  • DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-9989-1
  • Authors
    • Rochelle E. Garner, Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
    • David H. Feeny, The Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97227-1110, USA
    • Amanda Thompson, Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
    • Julie Bernier, Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
    • Bentson H. McFarland, Departments of Psychiatry and Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
    • Nathalie Huguet, School of Community Health, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
    • Mark S. Kaplan, School of Community Health, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
    • Heather Orpana, Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
    • Nancy A. Ross, Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
    • Chris Blanchard, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada