Avaliação transversal da qualidade de vida de cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes com sobrepeso e obesidade por meio do instrumento genérico The 36 Item short form survey questionnaire (SF-36)

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excess body fat which impacts physical and psychosocial health proportionally to increased Body Mass Index (BMI) in both children and adolescents. Health repercussions affect not only the patient but also the family unit, which over time may lead to biological and psychosocial issues that compromise quality of life for all. However, it is not yet clear if the quality of life of caregivers of overweight or obese children and adolescents are also compromised. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of The 36 - Item Short Form Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) in caregivers of overweight and obese children and adolescents, as well as to assess the quality of life of these caregivers. The SF-36 was applied to 360 caregivers (mean age 36.6 years and SD=6.18) of children and adolescents who were overweight (BMI > percentile 85 and < percentile 95) (n=96; mean age = 11.1 years; SD=0.74), obese (BMI > percentile 95) (n=62; mean age = 10.9 years; SD=1.15) and eutrophic (BMI > percentile 5 and < percentile 85) (n=202; mean age = 10.9 years; SD= 1.10). The data quality, reliability and validity of the SF- 36 were all determined for this population. SF-36 domains and components scores were compared for caregivers of overweight, obese, and eutrophic children and adolescents, and correlated with BMI. Psychometric properties proved adequate overall. No significant difference (p>0.05) was seen in domains and components scores of the SF-36 amongst caregivers of overweight, obese and eutrophic children and adolescents. Correlations observed amongst SF-36 domains and components scores of caregivers, and the BMI of children and adolescents were weak, not reaching significance (p>0.05). The Brazilian version of the SF-36 is valid for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQL) in caregivers of overweight and obese children and adolescents. These caregivers presented no significant deficit in physical or psychosocial function compared to parents or guardians of eutrophic children and adolescents.