Self-perceived health status among adults with obesity in Quebec: a cluster analysis

People with obesity are a highly heterogeneous group. Characterizing this heterogeneity may help to improve public health by offering adapted interventions and treatments to more homogeneous sub-groups among obese patients. This research aims to (1) identify distinct clusters of people with obesity based on demographic, behavioural, and clinical factors in the province of Quebec (Canada) and (2) assess the association of these clusters with selfperceived health.

We conducted a sex specific cluster analysis (multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering) of adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² from the 2015-2016 Canadian Community Health Survey in Quebec. Clusters were based on demographic, clinical, and behavioural characteristics. The clusters were tested for association with poor selfperceived health using logistic regression.

Three clusters of individuals with obesity were identified. These were (1) young individuals, (2) people with higher levels of depression and anxiety, and (3) older adults with high comorbidity. Those with high levels of depression and anxiety (9% of men vs. 13% of women) were associated with the poorest selfperceived health.

People with obesity in Quebec can be categorized into three clusters based on demographic, clinical, and behavioural characteristics. The findings of this study draw attention to the need to examine the coexistence of obesity with depression and anxiety, particularly as it relates to selfperceived health.