Quality of Life Among Obese Children at Samutsakhon Hospital

Abstract

Objectives : To examine the quality of life (QOL) of obese children reported by both parent-proxy and child self-report at Samutsakhon Hospital.
Study design : Cross-sectional study in 91 children and their parents by using the PedsQL 4.0 questionnaire in Thai version submitted by both children and their parents. Demographic data and health data were also collected from parents and hospital records.
Result : 91 children and their parents participated in the study. The average age of the children is 10.6±2.2 years old. There are 16 children (17.6%) with morbid obesity (%W/H>200) and 52 children (57.1%) have complications from obesity. Children and their parents reported similarly in all domains except school function. The mean score of school function by children was higher than their parents 68.9±17.4 vs 62.9±18.0 (95%CI 1.4, 10.6; p=0.011). Children with morbid obesity report mean score lower than obesity children but not statistic significant. Children with complications tend to score lower in all domains compared to children without complication (60.9±16.4 vs 70.0±15.9, 95%CI 2.3, 15.9; p=0.009)
Conclusion : Complications from obesity are an important factor associated with decreased quality of life in obese children. Health professionals should treat obesity early and strictly to prevent these complications, while parents should be more concerned about their child’s obesity.