HUMANISTIC AND CLINICAL BURDEN OF OBESITY AMONG ADULTS: FINDINGS FROM A NATIONAL STUDY
Author(s)
Monira Alwhaibi, PhD.
Professor, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Professor, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a major public health concern associated with substantial burden on healthcare system and society. While obesity is known to increase the risk of chronic diseases, its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at the population level requires further evaluation.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2019-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Adults aged ≥18 years with complete body mass index (BMI) and HRQoL data were included. Participants were categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese according to World Health Organization BMI criteria. HRQoL was assessed using the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). Descriptive analyses, bivariate, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between obesity and HRQoL.
RESULTS: The study included 9,311 adults, of whom 35.0% were obese, 31.0% overweight, 31.9% normal weight, and 1.8% underweight. Obesity was more prevalent among women, African American individuals, lower-income, poor health status, and those with chronic illnesses. Significant differences in HRQoL were observed with obese adults reported lowest PCS score (48.84) compared with normal-weight adults (54.28; p<0.0001). They also had lower MCS scores (49.77 vs. 51.37 ; p<0.0001). In adjusted analyses, higher PCS scores were associated with lower odds of obesity (AOR=0.96, 95% CI=0.95-0.97). A higher odds of obesity was observed among those with diabetes (AOR=3.43, 95% CI=2.48-4.77), hypertension (AOR=2.52, 95% CI=2.07-3.06), osteoarthritis (AOR=1.43, 95% CI=1.01-2.02), depression (AOR=1.45, 95% CI=1.11-1.88), and anxiety (AOR=1.40, 95% CI=1.11-1.76).
CONCLUSIONS: Obesity affects more than one-third of U.S. adults and is associated with a substantial clinical and humanistic burden. Individuals with obesity experience poorer physical health-related quality of life and a higher prevalence of multiple chronic physical and mental health conditions. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive obesity prevention and management strategies that address both clinical outcomes and quality of life.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2019-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Adults aged ≥18 years with complete body mass index (BMI) and HRQoL data were included. Participants were categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese according to World Health Organization BMI criteria. HRQoL was assessed using the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). Descriptive analyses, bivariate, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between obesity and HRQoL.
RESULTS: The study included 9,311 adults, of whom 35.0% were obese, 31.0% overweight, 31.9% normal weight, and 1.8% underweight. Obesity was more prevalent among women, African American individuals, lower-income, poor health status, and those with chronic illnesses. Significant differences in HRQoL were observed with obese adults reported lowest PCS score (48.84) compared with normal-weight adults (54.28; p<0.0001). They also had lower MCS scores (49.77 vs. 51.37 ; p<0.0001). In adjusted analyses, higher PCS scores were associated with lower odds of obesity (AOR=0.96, 95% CI=0.95-0.97). A higher odds of obesity was observed among those with diabetes (AOR=3.43, 95% CI=2.48-4.77), hypertension (AOR=2.52, 95% CI=2.07-3.06), osteoarthritis (AOR=1.43, 95% CI=1.01-2.02), depression (AOR=1.45, 95% CI=1.11-1.88), and anxiety (AOR=1.40, 95% CI=1.11-1.76).
CONCLUSIONS: Obesity affects more than one-third of U.S. adults and is associated with a substantial clinical and humanistic burden. Individuals with obesity experience poorer physical health-related quality of life and a higher prevalence of multiple chronic physical and mental health conditions. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive obesity prevention and management strategies that address both clinical outcomes and quality of life.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
CO143
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Clinician Reported Outcomes
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory)