Increasing Weight-Specific Quality of Life among Obese Latino Youth

Obesity disproportionately impacts Latino youth who experience health consequences that contribute to lower quality of life (QoL). Few studies have examined QoL among obese Latino youth and no interventions have been designed to specifically improve QoL among these youths. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a culturally-informed, community-based lifestyle intervention for obese Latino adolescents in enhancing weight-specific QoL. Fifteen obese Latino adolescents (BMI percentile=96.4±1.2, age 15.2±1.0 years) completed a 12-week program that included: (a) weekly group nutrition and lifestyle education classes delivered by bilingual/bicultural Promotoras, and (b) three 1-hour physical activity sessions per week. The program focused on improving both physical and mental health by motivating and supporting youth in making healthy lifestyle choices related to nutrition and physical activity, in part by enhancing self-efficacy for these behaviors. QoL was assessed at baseline and follow-up using both a generic and weight-specific QoL instrument developed by the Seattle Quality of Life Group. Although no significant changes (paired t-test) were observed for generic QoL (81.3±3.6 to 82.5±4.2), weight-specific QoL increased 27.5±6.5% over baseline (70.8±5.4 to 86.3±4.4, p<0.001). Increases in weight-specific QoL were noted in all three domains measured (self, social, and environmental) which increased 65.2±19.7%, 15.0±4.6%, and 61.7±19.2%, respectively (all p<0.01). Interestingly, increases in weight-specific QoL were observed without changes in weight (90.6±6.8 to 89.8±7.2 kg, p=0.3), but may be associated with improvements in nutrition and/or activity behavior outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that weight-loss is not necessary to improve weight-specific QoL among obese Latino youth.