Obesity as a predictor of self-rated health.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the relationship between self-rated health and obesity.


METHODS
Computer-assisted telephone survey of 5001 randomly selected individuals aged 18 years and over residing in California and Texas.


RESULTS
Obese individuals have a 3-fold greater odds of reporting reduced health. After controlling for the effect of demographic factors, health care utilization, chronic disease, and lifestyle behaviors, this relationship persists (OR:2.33; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that obesity is a statistically significant predictor of reduced self-rated health. Directly affecting change in people's self-rating of health would be difficult; however, addressing its correlates, such as obesity, may improve self-rated health status over time.
Prosper
Marie-Hortence
MH
Department of Community Health, St Joseph Health System, Orange, CA 92868-4533, USA. marie-hortence.prosper@stjoe.org
Moczulski
Vanessa L
VL
Qureshi
Azhar
A
D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012923:Social Class; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology