title: Weight-specific health-related quality of life in adolescents with extreme obesity.
abstract: The objectives of this multisite study were to: (i) examine differences by gender and race on generic and weight- specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with extreme obesity (BMI > or = 40 kg/m(2)) and (ii) explore HRQOL differences based on treatment pursued (behavioral vs. bariatric surgery). Study participants included 145 obese adolescents (mean age = 15.3 years; 68% female; 46% black; mean BMI = 50.6) referred to pediatric weight management programs. Participants completed generic (PedsQL) and weight-specific (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids (IWQOL-Kids)) HRQOL measures. Generic and weight-specific measures indicated global (e.g., all domains) HRQOL impairment and significant differences by race. Physical, emotional, and social scores of the PedsQL (Ps < 0.01) and the physical comfort and body esteem scores of the IWQOL-Kids (Ps < 0.001) were significantly higher for black compared to white adolescents with extreme obesity. Extremely obese adolescents pursuing bariatric surgery reported similar HRQOL to adolescents pursuing behavioral treatment (n = 30 matched pairs). HRQOL did not differ for extremely obese adolescents based on type of treatment sought, but race/ethnicity should be considered when characterizing these youth. Although racial differences in adolescent body image/esteem have been reported, it is unknown why black adolescents with extreme obesity would report less impact of weight on their physical functioning. Overall, these data suggest that HRQOL is not homogenous in adolescents with extreme obesity.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. avani.modi@cchmc.org
authors: Avani C
authors: AC
authors: Modi
authors: Tara J
authors: TJ
authors: Loux
authors: Stephen K
authors: SK
authors: Bell
authors: Carroll M
authors: CM
authors: Harmon
authors: Thomas H
authors: TH
authors: Inge
authors: Meg H
authors: MH
authors: Zeller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D044465:White People