ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN BMI AND PERCEPTION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH IN OVERWEIGHT FEMALE PATIENTS.

A STUDY WITH REPEATED MEASUREMENTS DESIGN

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyse the changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) and quality of life in a group of overweight women of the Obesity Treatment Ward within 3 months after participating in multicomponent weight loss program.

There were 120 obese women participating in the study, patients of the Obesity Treatment Ward. The research tool used in the study was The World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale – WHOQL-BREF. Variable measurements were made 3 times within 3 months.

Significant differences of BMI apply to each pair of comparisons (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference between overall quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) between I–III was observed. There are sig-nificant differences for each time point (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the overall quality of health (WHOQOL BREF) between measurements I–III.

The multicomponent interventions for overweight and obese people help implement current recom-mended lifestyle and behaviour changes. The behaviour changes are associated with significant reduc-tions in BMI and growth in the quality of life of obese people. The results of above study constitute important theoretical and practical inputs, and they could contribute to the effectiveness of interventions in obesity treatment. Conclusions and practical implications resulting from the conducted research may contribute to scientific disciplines such as rehabilitation psychology, special pedagogy or health sciences in connection with therapy and rehabilitation of patients.