Body mass index and health-related quality of life

There are conflicting data regarding the association between body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), especially among certain population subgroups and for mental and physical health domains.

This study analysed the relationship between BMI and HRQoL (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System mental and physical health scales) using ordinary least squares regression. Each model allowed for the possibility of a non-linear relationship between BMI and the outcome, adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, diet and physical activity.

A total of 10,133 respondents were predominantly female (71.7%), White (84.1%), median age of 52.1 years (interquartile range 37.2-63.3) and median BMI of 27.9 (interquartile range 24.0-33.2). In adjusted models, BMI was significantly associated with physical and mental HRQoL (p < 0.001). For physical HRQoL, there was a significant interaction with age (p = 0.02). For mental HRQoL, there was a significant interaction with sex (p = 0.0004) but not age (p = 0.7).

This study demonstrates a non-linear association of variable clinical relevance between BMI and HRQoL after adjusting for demographic factors and comorbidities. The relationship between BMI and HRQoL is nuanced and impacted by gender and age. These findings challenge the idea of obesity as a main driver of reduced HRQoL, particularly among women and with respect to mental HRQoL.