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Presentation

Session: Obesity in the Young
Room: Chydenius Rooms
Time: Fri 08:30-09:45

Presenter: Catherine Keating (Deakin University. Deakin Health Economics)

Abstract

CONTEXT There is currently no published research on the utility-based quality of life (QoL) loss attributable to overweight/obesity in the child/adolescent population.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the utility-based QoL of overweight and obese Australian adolescents is significantly lower than their healthy weight peers.

METHODS Data was collected from 2,890 students attending 13 secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. QoL was measured using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL-6D) instrument, which was modified for adolescent use and completed by students in the classroom. Adolescent’s height and weight were measured by trained field workers and weight status categories were assigned according to International Obesity Task Force BMI cut-off points for adolescents. Regression analyses was used to compare the utility-based QoL of overweight and obese adolescents relative to healthy weight peers whilst controlling for age category, socioeconomic quartile and fat free mass. Analyses was also undertaken for the sample stratified by gender.

RESULTS Relative to the healthy weight group, overweight and obese adolescents experienced significant mean utility losses of 0.023 and 0.058 respectively. Overweight boys did not experience a significant utility loss, whilst obese boys had a significant utility loss of 0.043. Overweight and obese girls experienced significant utility losses equivalent to 0.035 and 0.077 respectively.

CONCLUSION Overweight and obese Australian adolescents are willing to forgo 2.4% and 5.9% respectively of their normal life expectancy in order to enjoy those remaining years in perfect health. These utility weights can be adopted for future economic analysis of obesity interventions targeting adolescents.

Key Terms

Obesity, utility, quality of life, adolescents

Authors:

Catherine Keating (Deakin University. Deakin Health Economics) , Marjory Moodie (Deakin University. Deakin Health Economics) and Boyd Swinburn (Deakin University. WHO Collaborating Centre on Obesity Prevention)

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