The Effect of Obesity-Related Quality of Life on selecting a Goal for Weight Management in Overweight and Obese Patients / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is known to influence physical and mental health as well as the general quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of obesity related quality of life on selecting a goal for weight management in overweight and obese female patients. METHODS: A total of 140 overweight or obese (Body mass index 23 kg/m2) female outpatients aged > or = 20 and < or = 60 years from one clinic participated in this study. Patients' desired weight (goal weight, ideal weight, satisfactory weight, acceptable weight and disappointed weight) and obesity related quality of life measures were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of obesity related quality of life on goal weight reduction (%) and goal body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Mean BMI of overweight group, mild obesity group and severe obesity group were 62.0 +/- 4.8 kg, 68.5 +/- 5.5 kg and 83.5 +/- 9.6 kg, respectively. Mean weight loss expectations of the three groups were 16.4 +/- 4.7%, 19.5 +/- 5.3% and 30.2 +/- 6.8%, respectively and goal weight was significantly different among the three groups. Severe obesity group had a lower total quality of life score including physical, work-related, daily living domains than overweight or mild obesity groups. In univariate and multivariate regression analysis, psychosocial domain of quality of life had an effect on goal weight reduction (%) and goal BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that the obese patients with poorer quality of life and psychosocial health tended to choose higher goal weight reduction and lower goal BMI.

Desired Weight of Obesity Patients

BACKGROUND: Although expert panels and guidelines recommend that 5~10% weight reductions of initial body weight have beneficial effects for decreasing obesity-related complications, obese persons tend to desire greater weight losses. Little is known about the patients' expectations and the disparity of goal weight between physicians and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients' weight loss expectation, and the association between the degree of desired weight losses and treatment outcomes. METHODS: A total of 283 obese subjects (84 men, 199 women), aged > or =20 years with body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m2 from 19 obesity clinics were included. Patients' desired weight as evaluated using modified GRWQ (Goals and Relative Weight Questionnaire) which included goal weight, ideal weight, satisfactory weight, acceptable weight, and disappointed weight. After 12 weeks, subsequent weight changes and treatment adherence were investigated. RESULTS: Mean BMI of men and women were 30.9+/-4.2 kg/m2 and 29.1+/- 3.8 kg/m2, respectively. Men expected 13.2 kg (14.0%) mean weight reductions and women expected 10.8 kg (15.7%) mean reductions during the 3 months. The heavier the patient's weight, the greater the reduction amount was desired in both men and women. During the 3 months, the dropout rates of men and women were 40.1% and 46.2%, respectively. In women, the amount of desired weight reduction as significantly higher in the dropout group compared to the non-dropout group. Those who attained pre-determined goal weight after 3 months were 6% for men and 4% for women. After 3 months, 81% of male subjects and 80% of female subjects had not achieved even their predefined disappointed weight. CONCLUSION: Obese patients seeking treatment expected average of 15% weight reduction, greater than 'medically reasonable or successful' weight reductions. The disparities between patients' expectations and physicians' recommendations could influence treatment adherence.