Role of educational level in the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) among rural Spanish women.
BACKGROUND
The impact of obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQL) has been little explored in rural areas. The goal of this study is to ascertain the association between obesity and HRQL among Spanish women living in a rural area, and the influence of their educational level.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study with personal interview of 1298 women (aged 18 to 60) randomly selected from the electoral rolls of 14 towns in Galicia, a region in the north-west of Spain. HRQL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The association between body mass index (BMI) and suboptimal scores in the different HRQL dimensions was summarised using odds ratios (ORs), obtained from multivariate logistic regression models. Separate analyses were conducted for women who had finished their education younger than 16 years old and women with secondary education to assess differences in the relationship between BMI and HRQL according to educational level.


RESULTS
Among women with primary or lower education, obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of suboptimal values in the following dimensions: Physical functioning (OR: 1.97; 95%CI: 1.22-3.18); Role-physical (OR: 1.81; 95%CI: 1.04-3.14); General health (OR: 1.76; 95%CI: 1.10-2.81); and Role-emotional (OR: 2.52; 95%CI: 1.27-5.03). In women with higher education, physical functioning was the only dimension associated with obesity (OR: 2.02: 95%CI 0.83-4.97).


CONCLUSIONS
The impact of obesity on women's HRQL is greater among those with a lower educational level. This group registered higher prevalence of obesity and poorer self-perceived health.
García-Mendizábal
María José
MJ
Department of Environmental Epidemiology and Cancer, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain. mjota74@hotmail.com
Carrasco
José Miguel
JM
Pérez-Gómez
Beatriz
B
Aragonés
Nuria
N
Guallar-Castillón
Pilar
P
Rodríguez-Artalejo
Fernando
F
López-Abente
Gonzalo
G
Pollán
Marina
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012423:Rural Health; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult