title: Health-related quality of life and sense of coherence among people with obesity: Important factors for health management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether health-related quality of life and levels of sense of coherence among people with obesity are correlated with body mass index, age, and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, descriptive research design was used. Subjects (n = 157) were selected from a sample of participants in an ongoing survey and had a body mass index >30 kg/m(2). Data were collected using the Short Form-36 Health Survey and the Sense of Coherence Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean body mass index of women was higher than that of men. Compared to men, a greater proportion of women had a low sense of coherence. There was a significant relationship between low physical health and high body mass index. Female gender and older age correlated with a low sense of coherence and showed a significant association with high body mass index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To increase the health-related quality of life, people with obesity need support to help manage their life situation based on their individual needs and personal resources.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skär
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Juuso
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Siv
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Söderberg
keywords: Health-related quality of life; health management; obesity; sense of coherence