Obesity-Related Quality of Life and Distorted Self-Body Image in Adults

Quality of life (QOL) is associated with body mass index (BMI). Self-awareness of false body image may influence the behavior of weight control and QOL. This study was conducted to identify the relationships between BMI and QOL, and distortion of self-estimated body image and its impact on QOL and the general health of Korean adults. A total of 229 adults who visited two university hospitals in Seoul and Chungju cities for regular health check-up responded to a questionnaire. To assess QOL, a Korean version of the obesity-related Quality of Life Scale (KOQOL) was used. The results showed that obesity-related quality of life decreased as BMI increased and as alcohol consumption became heavier. In the low weight and normal body weight groups, a portion of the groups had a more obese self-estimated body image than their actual BMI. In the overweight and obese groups, some had a leaner self-estimated body image than their actual BMI. Persons who had a self-body image of being fat had a low QOL. For Korean adults over 20 and under 65, a higher BMI is associated with a lower obesity-related quality of life. Persons who thought themselves fat had a lower QOL, regardless of their real body type.