Impaired quality of life in overweight and obese young adults in rural Malaysia 

AZMAWATI MN and NORFAZILAH A

Department of Community Health, UKM Medical Centre, Malaysia

 

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in developing countries is on the rise. It should be taken seriously to decrease the burden on health care and improve the quality of life (QOL). The aim of this cross sectional study was to determine the association of body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) among young adult in rural area of Malaysia. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 206 young adults who were randomly sampled from three villages between March and April 2013. All respondents completed a set of questionnaire comprising of socio-demographic data, validated Malay version of WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to measure HR-QOL and anthropometric measurement. Results: The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 32.7% and 18.1% respectively. Univariate analyses showed that employed respondents, age and psychological domain of HR-QOL were significantly associated with BMI category. Linear regression analyses showed that obese young adults have lower mean score for psychological health domain of HR-QOL (adjusted b -5.75, 95%CI: -9.94, -1.55). Conclusion: Having ideal body weight can yield important health benefits and may increase the QOL among young adult.

 

Keywords: Body mass index, overweight, obesity, quality of life, young adults

 

Correspondence author: Azmawati Mohammed Nawi

Department of Community Health, UKM Medical Centre, Malaysia

Phone number:

E mail: azmawati@ppukm.ukm.edu.my

 

Brunei Int Med J. 2014; 10 (3): 145-152

 

 

BACK TO CONTENTS