Body-weight-related quality of life in adolescents: Psychometric quality of the Dutch translation of the verse IWQOL-Kids

Aim: To evaluate the psychometric qualities of the Dutch translation of the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids (IWQOL-Kids), a measure of body-weight-related quality of life in adolescents (age 11-19 years). Method. The IWQOL-Kids was completed by 104 adolescents for whom weight and height were measured. To examine convergent validity, associations with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), a generic health related quality of life questionnaire, were determined. The sensitivity to change was established after an intervention. Results. Internal consistency coefficients were high for three out of four scales (Cronbach's alpha 0.81-0.82) and moderate (0.66) for one scale. Convergent validity was confirmed by the pattern of correlations between scales of the IWQOL-Kids and the PedsQL. The IWQOL-Kids discriminated among weight classes and showed responsiveness after an intervention. Conclusie. Results suggest that the IWQOL-Kids is a valid instrument to measure weight-specific quality of life in adolescents.

Duke Scholars

Author Ronette L Kolotkin Family Medicine and Community Health, Diet & Fitness Center