Health-related quality of life assessment in children with overweight and obesity

Abstract

The aim of the study is to study and evaluate the quality of life in obese children. The study was performed in two stages, using statistical and sociological methods and conducted: a study of the prevalence of overweight and obesity and assessment of the quality of life of obese children. The following results were obtained during the study: during the first stage of the study, obesity and overweight were found in 280 (58.4±3.4‰) and 440 (91.9±4.2‰) persons, respectively. When assessing the quality of life of 280 obese children on second stage, it was found that the corresponding average value (60.7±0.5%) was in the range from 39.3% to 90.6% and corresponded to the average level of variability (CV=12.9%). There was a signi­ficant difference in the quality-of-life average values in patients with complicated forms of the disease than without complications – 48.3±1.0% and 62.6±0.43% (p<0.001), respectively. In a separate study of the limitations that affect the quality of life of obese children, it was found that the most significant were the limitations in the physical Rxy=(-6.83) and psychoemotional Rxy=(-4.42) areas, namely such factors as: restrictions in the performance of heavy physical activity (67.9±3%), when climbing stairs (56.1±3.2%), complaints of rapid fatigue (37.8±3.2%), feelings of anxiety (39.7±3.2%), depression (41.4±3.2%), irritability (36.3±3.1%) and low self-esteem (51.5±3.3%). As a result of the study, we came to the following conclusions: the use of the quality-of-life assessment methodology has made it possible to conduct a comprehensive study of the health status of obese children and adolescents. Data on quality-of-life relative value is recommended to be included into the child's development anamnesis (form No.112/o, which is designed to keep records of the development and state of children’s health and medical care from birth to 17 years, including in children's clinics, primary health care centers, orphanages, outpatient clinics) or into the electronic database to improve dynamic mo­nitoring. Keywords: quality of life, physical factors, psychoemotional factors, limitations, comprehensive assessment.