Effect of Obesity Levels on Lifestyles and qol of Middle and old Aged Women

Abstract

Background Obesity is a risk factor for lifestyle diseases. Effect of obesity levels on lifestyles and QOL were investigated. Methods Participants were middle and old aged women (N=900) in Body Mass Index (BMI) Standard class, Class?, and above Class? (n=300 in each class). An Internet survey was conducted. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences in lifestyles, among others, between BMI classes. Results Participants’ mean age was 51.8 (SD=10.23), mean BMI values were: Standard=21.2 (SD=1.74), Class I =26.7 (SD=1.23), and Class?=33.8 (SD=5.66). Significant between-group differences were shown in lifestyles, stress responses, and QOL: lifestyles: F (2,897) =8.788, stress responses: F (2,897) =4.799, and QOL: F (2,897) =11.297, p< .001. Furthermore, multiple comparison (5% level) using the Tukey’s method for lifestyles, QOL and stress responses indicated that the Standard BMI class was optimal (standard> Class?> Class?). Discussion Lifestyles, stress responses, and QOL were different among three BMI classes. To prevent and improve problems caused by overweight, intervention measures for changing behaviors of overweight people are needed based on their obesity level.