Health-related quality of life in obese and overweight, treatment-seeking youth.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated health related quality of life (HRQOL) in obese children using obesity-specific HRQOL measures and examined potential race and sex differences. PARTICIPANTS: Two-hundred and four children aged 5.03 to 13.48 years (mean +/- SD = 10.18 +/- 1.95) and their parents participated.
METHODS: All participants enrolled in a family-based weight loss intervention study. Their height and weight were measured before and after the intervention, and demographic information was collected. Participants also completed a weight related quality of life measure; children completed a self-report version, and parents completed a parent-proxy version.
RESULTS: Higher child body mass index z-scores (BMIz) were related to poorer HRQOL per parent and child report. Males reported higher emotional functioning than females, and for race, African American parents reported higher physical functioning for their children than Caucasian parents. No difference in total HRQOL was found for race.
CONCLUSIONS: Childhood BMIz is inversely related to quality of life. Compared with male children, females have more impairment in quality of life. However, HRQOL did not differ by race. Also, although parent and child reports do overlap in certain areas, they also each provide unique information. Future researchers and clinicians would be wise to capture both child and parent perspectives regarding quality of life among obese children.