Health-related quality of life in obese outpatients losing weight with very-low-energy diet and behaviour modification—a 2-y follow-up study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To study health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a clinically selected sample of obese outpatients. DESIGN: A single-strand before and after study with 2-y follow-up

after treatment comprising 10 weeks on very-low-energy diet (VLED) and 4 months of behaviour modification in groups. SUBJECTS: A total of 126 (mean (s.d.) age 48.2 (11.1) y and body mass

index 42.8 (6.2) kg/m2 obese patients (63% women) referred for treatment in an obesity clinic. MEASUREMENTS: Weight and HRQL using questionnaires (RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 and

Obesity-related Psychosocial problems scale (OP-scale)). RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (61% women) completed the treatment and 67 (71% women) completed the 2-y follow-up. The mean (s.d.)

weight loss was 12.5 (5.6)% at the end of group therapy, 6.0 (7.1)% at 1 y, and 2.6 (7.5)% at 2 y. At baseline, the mean (s.d.) score for the OP-scale was 61.9 (24.6). The mean scores on

every RAND-36 scale were markedly lower than in the Finns without chronic conditions. All the scales in HRQL improved markedly during the treatment. During the follow-up, all the scales

started to return towards baseline levels, and at 2 y only obesity-related psychosocial problems and physical functioning were still improved relative to baseline. In categories of weight

change at 2 y (≥10% weight loss, 0–9.9% weight loss, weight gain), obesity-related psychosocial functioning, physical functioning, and general health showed dose–response improvement with

increasing weight loss. A ≥10% weight loss at 2 y after treatment was associated with clear improvement in obesity-related psychosocial problems, physical functioning, physical role

functioning, bodily pain, general health, mental health, and vitality. A 0–9.9% weight loss was associated with improvement in obesity-related psychosocial problems and physical functioning.

Weight gain was associated with improvement in obesity-related psychosocial problems and social functioning. The study population was too small to examine possible gender differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with VLED and behaviour modification produces marked short-term weight loss and clear improvement in all aspects of HRQL. At 2 y after treatment, the average

maintained weight loss is modest. However, 1/3 of patients maintained a ≥5% weight loss. Improvement in obesity-related psychosocial problems and physical functioning is associated even with

less than 10% of maintained weight loss. Since the pattern of HRQL changes only partly followed the pattern of weight change as expected, other factors, such as the therapeutic effect of

participating in the weight loss programme or increase in physical activity, may affect HRQL responses. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription

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QUALITY OF LIFE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY Article 06 November 2021 FIFTEEN-YEAR CHANGES IN HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY AND NON-SURGICAL OBESITY

TREATMENT Article Open access 20 June 2024 DO LIFESTYLE FACTORS AND QUALITY OF LIFE DIFFER IN PEOPLE WITH METABOLICALLY HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY OBESITY? Article 11 July 2022 REFERENCES * Han

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a grant of Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation. Päivi Karpakka, Anitta Melanen, Paula Nikkanen, Helena Ranta-aho, Aulikki Pasanen, Pertti Sopanen, Jaana Vahtola, and Leena Virtanen skilfully guided the

study groups. We are also grateful to Leiras Finland, which provided the VLED free of charge. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Department of Internal Medicine, Vantaa, Peijas

Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland J Kaukua, T Pekkarinen & P Mustajoki * Department of Endocrinology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland T Sane

Authors * J Kaukua View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * T Pekkarinen View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed 

Google Scholar * T Sane View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * P Mustajoki View author publications You can also search for this author

inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to J Kaukua. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Kaukua, J., Pekkarinen, T.,

Sane, T. _et al._ Health-related quality of life in obese outpatients losing weight with very-low-energy diet and behaviour modification—a 2-y follow-up study. _Int J Obes_ 27, 1233–1241

(2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802379 Download citation * Received: 15 October 2002 * Revised: 25 February 2003 * Accepted: 20 March 2003 * Published: 26 September 2003 * Issue

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diet * behaviour modification * health-related quality of life