The effect of age on weight-related quality of life in overweight and obese individuals.

The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between age and weight-related quality of life in a broad range of overweight/obese individuals. Participants included 9,991 overweight and obese adults from a cross sectional database (mean age = 44.9, mean BMI = 38.3, 75.3% women, 73% white). Participants completed the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite), a measure of weight-related quality of life. For the total sample, weight-related quality of life was more impaired with increasing age for physical function, sexual life, and work. However, increasing age was associated with less impairment for self-esteem and public distress. On the sexual life domain there was an interaction between age and gender. Men showed a steady decline in sexual life with increasing age, whereas women showed reduced scores on sexual life in all age groups beyond age 18-24.9. Of note, women's scores on all IWQOL-Lite domains were significantly lower (more impaired) than men's. Thus, there are both positive as well as negative consequences of increasing age with respect to the impact of weight on quality of life in overweight and obese persons.

Duke Scholars

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