Excessive body weight as a factor determining the quality of life of young adults

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity has become a global epidemic in the last few decades. Despite the implementation of a number of remedial actions, it has still not been possible to reverse or even stop the trend of its growth. Obesity is a disease that reduces the quality of life. Of particular concern is the fact that it is increasingly found in young people.

Aim of the study:The aim of the study was to compare the quality of life of young adults in the group of obese people and in the group of people with normal body weight.

Material and methods:The study was conducted among 105 secondary school students from rural areas. The method of diagnostic survey was used with the use of a proprietary questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic data and a short version of the questionnaire assessing the quality of life - The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL).

Results: More than half of the people (60%) in the study group had a body weight within the normal range, overweight was found in 11.43% of the respondents, obesity in 20%, and underweight in 8.57% of the respondents. In all areas included in the WHOQoL questionnaire, significant differences were found in the study group between the obese group and the group of people with normal body weight, as well as those with underweight and overweight.

Conclusions: Body weight significantly differentiates the quality of life of the examined students. Mean scores in all domains, i.e. physical, psychological, social, and environmental, differed significantly depending on the BMI level.