Assessing weight-related quality of life in obese persons with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2003 Aug;61(2):125-32. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8227(03)00113-x.

Abstract

Because approximately 80% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are obese, we examined weight-related QOL in obese persons with diabetes using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) questionnaire. Study participants were enrolled in a clinical trial for an obesity medication or a clinical study of gastric bypass surgery. Psychometric properties of the IWQOL-Lite were evaluated separately for obese persons with (n = 225) and without (n = 972) type 2 diabetes. Internal consistency reliabilities were similar for persons with and without diabetes (0.981 versus 0.980). Correlations between IWQOL-Lite scores and body mass index were significant and comparable for persons with and without diabetes. The IWQOL-Lite factor structure was similar for both the diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and consistent with earlier studies. There was no difference between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects on weight-related QOL as measured by the IWQOL-Lite; however, subjects in this study had more impaired weight-related QOL relative to a reference sample of overweight/obese community persons. We recommend the use of weight-related QOL measures in addition to generic and diabetes-specific measures when assessing quality of life in type 2 diabetes, particularly when patients are overweight or obese.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Body Mass Index
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires