ESPE Abstracts

Background: Recent research has focused on the association between obesity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the results are mixed when addressing this issue in youth and in different cultural contexts. Little is known about the impact of obesity on HRQoL of Asian adolescents.

Objectives: To determine the metabolic and lifestyle correlates of HRQoL among Taiwanese obese adolescents in a hospital setting.

Methods: Obese (age 11–19 years) with BMI>95th percentile for sex and age were compared to non-obese counterparts in aspects of anthropometric measurements, biochemical testing, and items on lifestyles and HRQoL. Insulin sensitivity was represented by homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Body composition was measured by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). HRQoL was assessed by the pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL). Student’ t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare the differences in the PedsQL scores between groups. Ordinal logistic regression model was further applied to identify significant factors associated with PedsQL.

Results: Obese adolescents (n=46) reported a lower PedsQL score in the physical domain only, as compared to that of non-obese participants (n=16). Further stratifying subjects by metabolic and lifestyle factors, we observed a higher emotional PedsQL subscales among those with HOMA-IR >2.8 and daily sleep >8 h/day and also a higher social PedsQL subscales among those with trunk fatness <25%. In the multivariate analysis, trunk fatness is associated with physical, emotional, and school domains, while duration of sleep and sun exposure are associated with social domains of HRQoL.

Discussion: Taiwanese obese adolescents had similar HRQoL, except physical subscales, as compared to non-obese adolescents. Metabolic and lifestyle factors correlated with HRQoL in this Asian context. Understanding the biopsychosocial impact of obesity may benefit in adolescent weight management.