Association between quality-of-life-related indicators and obesity severity categories (Classes I–III): a cross-sectional analysis of the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey

Abstract

To investigate associations between quality-of-life-related indicators (QoLRIs) and obesity severity among Brazilian adults and older adults. This cross-sectional study analyzed 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey data from 17,908 individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), including 1,071 with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²). Adjusted ordinal regression assessed associations between physical and psychological QoLRIs and obesity severity categories (Class I, II or III). Among adults and older adults with severe obesity, respectively, 66.6% and 78.6% were women, 90.5% and 92.4% lived in urban areas, and 59.9% and 37.7% were Black or Brown. Higher obesity severity was associated with multiple comorbidities among older adults (OR 1.48; 95%CI 1.07–2.04), poor self-rated health overall (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.12–1.55) and among adults (OR 1.36; 95%CI 1.12–1.66), three vitality-related problems overall (OR 1.31; 95%CI 1.05–1.63) and among adults (OR 1.44; 95%CI 1.12–1.84), and perceived discrimination or psychological violence overall (OR 1.24; 95%CI 1.04–1.49) and among adults (OR 1.24; 95%CI 1.02–1.50). Obesity severity was associated with multiple physical and psychological QoLRIs among Brazilian adults and older adults. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the temporal relationships between these variables.