Health-Related Quality of Life of Obese Patients Presenting at the General Outpatient Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Obesity and overweight are linked to more deaths than underweight. It is associated with reduced quality of life and poor mental health outcomes. Together with its associated comorbidities, obesity produces a significant reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). While it is known that obesity decreases HRQoL in people, little information regarding the quality of life in obese patients in this environment is available. Objectives: The study sought to determine the quality of life of obese individuals presenting to the General outpatient clinic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted at the General Out-patient Clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria among obese patients. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire and the SF-36 form to assess their HRQoL. Results were analyzed using SPSS V25. Results: The mean age of respondents was 46.9 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 36.4 with a significant difference in the mean physical and mental component scores among the different BMI classes. Males had higher physical component scores than females. Age, occupation, marital status, and parity were significant predictors of HRQoL. Conclusion: The decline in quality of life increases as the BMI increases. There is a need to involve the various components of quality of life domains that are affected in the management of obesity. A therapeutic approach with an emphasis on increasing the quality of life in physical, emotional, and mental domains will likely facilitate easier weight loss.