Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this manuscript is to (1) explore the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of youth attending a tertiary
obesity treatment center compared to healthy population reference data; (2) compare the congruence between the HRQOL of youth
self-reports and caregiver proxy reports; and (3) examine the associations between youth HRQOL and (a) teen and (b) caregiver
depression.
obesity treatment center compared to healthy population reference data; (2) compare the congruence between the HRQOL of youth
self-reports and caregiver proxy reports; and (3) examine the associations between youth HRQOL and (a) teen and (b) caregiver
depression.
Results
Overweight youth reported significantly (P < 0.001) lower scores than a previously published healthy sample on all totals and subscales of the PedsQL. For younger overweight
children and caregivers, there was closer agreement on social (r = 0.45) and emotional functioning (r = 0.32); whereas teens and caregivers agreed most on school functioning (r = 0.47) and emotional functioning (r = 0.44). Regardless of age, youth and caregivers disagreed most on physical functioning. Caregivers who reported higher depressive
symptoms had less agreement with their child on their perceived HRQOL; however, teens with more depressive symptoms had stronger
agreement with their caregivers on their previewed HRQOL.
children and caregivers, there was closer agreement on social (r = 0.45) and emotional functioning (r = 0.32); whereas teens and caregivers agreed most on school functioning (r = 0.47) and emotional functioning (r = 0.44). Regardless of age, youth and caregivers disagreed most on physical functioning. Caregivers who reported higher depressive
symptoms had less agreement with their child on their perceived HRQOL; however, teens with more depressive symptoms had stronger
agreement with their caregivers on their previewed HRQOL.
Conclusions
Based on our findings, there is not consistent agreement between youth and caregiver perceptions of youth HRQOL domains (physical,
emotional, social, and school) and inconsistency in age groups (children and teens). Depressive symptoms in caregivers and
teens can provide mechanistic insights into youth and caregiver HRQOL congruence. These findings underscore the importance
of a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment when providing treatment to overweight youth and their families.
emotional, social, and school) and inconsistency in age groups (children and teens). Depressive symptoms in caregivers and
teens can provide mechanistic insights into youth and caregiver HRQOL congruence. These findings underscore the importance
of a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment when providing treatment to overweight youth and their families.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-0042-1
- Authors
- Keeley J. Pratt, Department of Child Development and Family Relations, College of Human Ecology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Angela L. Lamson, Department of Child Development and Family Relations, College of Human Ecology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Melvin S. Swanson, College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Suzanne Lazorick, Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- David N. Collier, Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343