Quality of life, overweight, and body fat distribution in middle-aged men.
Measurements of obesity [body mass index (BMI)] and body fat distribution [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)] were analyzed in 284 51-year-old men in relation to items about social, mental, and physical well-being from the Göteborg Quality of Life Instrument. Overweight participants (BMI > or = 25) reported a better home-family situation, appetite, and self-esteem, but decreased physical fitness and more pain in the legs compared with their leaner counterparts. Men with abdominal obesity (WHR > or = 1.0) experienced impaired health and physical fitness and lower self-esteem compared with those with WHR < 1.0. The abdominally obese participants were more often exhausted and experienced depressive symptoms. Abdominal pain was more frequent among those with WHR > or = 1.0. Overweight and abdominal obesity seem differently associated with social, mental, and physical well-being in men. Impaired quality of life may be causally related to the development of abdominal obesity; the mechanism involved might be increased cortisol secretion, which can redistribute body fat to central adipose tissue depots.
Rosmond
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Department of Heart and Lung Diseases, University of Göteborg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. rolandrosmond@hotmail.com
Björntorp
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D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013548:Sweden
D006854:Hydrocortisone