Beyond weight reduction: improvements in quality of life after an intensive lifestyle intervention in subjects with severe obesity.
BACKGROUND
We examined the effects of 10-14 weeks of inpatient intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI), including a minimum of 90 minutes of adapted physical activity 5 days/week, with regard to changes in quality of life and associations with weight loss in subjects with severe obesity.


METHODS
A total of 100 severely obese subjects (BMI 42.6 ± 5.3 kg/m(2); 42.7 ± 10.6 years) were included. Quality of life was assessed by Binge Eating Scale, Hospital Anxiety, and Depression Scale, and SF- 36. The ILI group completed the questionnaires at inclusion, after 10-14 weeks and 12 months, and controls at inclusion and after 10-14 weeks.


RESULTS
Compared to controls, self-reported binge eating (-6.4, P < 0.0001), anxiety (-1.7, P = 0.005), and depression (-3.0, P < 0.0001) were reduced, and physical (8.0, P < 0.0001) and mental (7.6, P < 0.0001) health increased in the ILI group. After 12 months, reduction in self-reported binge eating (-7.2, P < 0.0001) and depression (-3.4, P < 0.0001) and increase in physical (8.9, P < 0.0001) and mental (3.6, P = 0.035) health were maintained. Decreased self-reported binge eating (β = 0.555, P = 0.010) and increased physical health (β = -0.554, P = 0.003) were associated with weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
ILI including a high volume of physical activity in subjects with severe obesity improved quality of life by favorable changes in self-reported binge eating, depression, and mental and physical health. Improvements in binge eating and physical health were associated with weight loss.
Department of Sports Medicine, The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences , PO Box 4014 Ullevaal Stadion, 0806 Oslo , Norway.
Kjersti Karoline
KK
Danielsen
Jorunn
J
Sundgot-Borgen
Sverre
S
Mæhlum
Mette
M
Svendsen
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
Anxiety; binge eating; depression; health-related quality of life; morbid obesity; physical activity