The relationship between obesity, quality of life and psychological state in women living in rural areas

Abstract

Objectives: Obesity, is a problem of public health that affects quality of life and psychological state as well as many health problems that are increasing in the prevalence in our country as it is in the whole world. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between obesity, quality of life and anxiety depression in women living in rural areas.

Methods: Our study is a descriptive study consisting of 94 females enrolled in a single unit family health center in rural areas. Along with socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, quality of life measurement Short Form-12 (SF12) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) for psychological state evaluation were provided to participants.

Results: The average age of the women who participated in this study was 47,17 ± 13,05. In terms of body mass indeks (BMI), 18,1% of the women were found to be normal weight, 38,3% were overweight, 38,3% were obese and 5,3% were morbidly obese. According to the HAD scale, 9,6% HAD anxiety and 25,5% HAD depression levels above the threshold. 88,9% of those with anxiety levels; 83,3% of depressed patients were overweight and obese. Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) values were 41,02 ± 6,65 for MCS when the patients’ quality of life scale scores were examined; PCS was found to be 43,1 ± 5,95. There was a statistically significant difference with MCS scores when compared to BMI (p = 0.002). There was statistically significant negative correlation between HAD anxiety and depression scores and MCS and PCS scores in the correlation analysis (p = 0.009, r = -0.269, p = 0.000 r = -0.426, p = 0.000, r = -0.389, p = 0.000, r = -0.431).

Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that the prevalence of obesity, and the risk of accompanying anxiety and depression was higher than the normal weight group, and the quality of life simultaneously affected this in a negative way. As a result, obesity should be handled with a multi-faceted approach including mental state.