Changes in Body Mass Index and Quality of Life—Population-Based Follow-up Study COURAGE and COURAGE-POLFUS, Poland

Abstract

The study aimed to verify an association between changes in body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QoL) in a 4-year follow-up in a population-based study in Poland. The results covered data from 1557 adults from the general Polish population who participated in the follow-up survey, performed in two waves: 2011 (COURAGE in Europe); 2015/2016 (COURAGE-POLFUS). Anthropometric measurements and a structured questionnaire including the WHOQOL-AGE scale were used. Regression models were applied to verify whether the observed BMI–QoL association is linear or U-shaped. The inverse U-shaped association between BMI changes and QoL among Polish adults was found using a univariable model. This association was observed in women, whereas in men a linear relationship was found. At the population level, weight loss (BMI decrease of 5–10%) was associated with better QoL in healthy people. The reverse was true in sick people, whose weight loss was observed to be an indicator of poorer QoL. In conclusion, the study suggests an inverse U-shaped association between BMI and quality of life. Better QoL may be considered an additional benefit of public weight loss programs for healthy adults. Further studies focusing on people with some chronic diseases are needed.