Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (Jul 2009)

Quality of life in Brazilian obese adolescents: effects of a long-term multidisciplinary lifestyle therapy

  • Tufik Sergio,
  • Carnier June,
  • Tock Lian,
  • Caranti Danielle,
  • de Piano Aline,
  • Prado Wagner,
  • Antunes Hanna,
  • Lofrano-Prado Mara,
  • de Mello Marco,
  • Dâmaso Ana R

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-7-61
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
p. 61

Abstract

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Abstract Background Obesity has adverse physical, social, and economic consequences that can negatively affect quality of life (QOL). Thus the aim of this study was to verify the effects of a long-term multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on QOL, body image, anxiety, depression and binge eating in obese adolescents. Methods Sixty-six obese adolescents (41 girls and 25 boys; BMI: 35.62 ± 4.18 kg/m2) were recruited from the Multidisciplinary Obesity Intervention Program outpatient clinic, and were submitted to a multidisciplinary lifestyle therapy (short-term = 12 weeks and long-term = 24 weeks), composed of medical, dietary, exercise and psychological programs. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to assess symptoms of anxiety Trait/State (STAI); depression (BDI); binge eating (BES), body image dissatisfaction (BSQ) and QOL (SF-36). Data were analyzed by means of scores; comparisons were made by ANOVA for repeated measures, and Tukey's test as post-hoc and Students T test. Results Long-term therapy decreased depression and binge eating symptoms, body image dissatisfaction, and improved QOL in girls, whereas, for boys, 24 weeks, were effective to reduce anxiety trait/state and symptoms of binge eating, and to improve means of dimensions of QOL (p Conclusion A long-term multidisciplinary lifestyle therapy is effective to control psychological aspects and to improve QOL in obese adolescents.