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Heaviness, health and happiness: a cross-sectional study of 163 066 UK Biobank participants.

Authors :
Zia Ul-Haq
Mackay, Daniel F.
Martin, Daniel
Smith, Daniel J.
Gill, Jason M. R.
Nicholl, Barbara I.
Cullen, Breda
Evans, Jonathan
Roberts, Beverly
Deary, Ian J.
Gallacher, John
Hotopf, Matthew
Craddock, Nick
Pell, Jill P.
Source :
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health; Apr2014, Vol. 68 Issue 4, p340-348, 9p, 3 Charts, 2 Graphs
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

Background Obesity is known to increase the risk of many diseases and reduce overall quality of life. This study examines the relationship with self-reported health (SRH) and happiness. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of the 163 066 UK Biobank participants who completed the happiness rating. The association between adiposity and SRH and happiness was examined using logistic regression. SRH was defined as good (excellent, good), or poor (fair, poor). Self-reported happiness was defined as happy (extremely, very, moderately) or unhappy (moderately, very, extremely). Results Poor health was reported by 44 457 (27.3%) participants. The adjusted ORs for poor health were 3.86, 2.92, 2.60 and 6.41 for the highest, compared with lowest, deciles of Body Mass Index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and body fat percent, respectively. The associations were stronger in men (p<0.001). Overall, 7511 (4.6%) participants felt unhappy, and only class III obese participants were more likely to feel unhappy (adjusted OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.53, p<0.001) but the associations differed by sex (p<0.001). Among women, there was a significant association between unhappiness and all levels of obesity. By contrast, only class III obese men had significantly increased risk and overweight and class I obese men were less likely to be unhappy. Conclusions Obesity impacts adversely on happiness as well as health, but the association with unhappiness disappeared after adjustment for self-reported health, indicating this may be mediated by health. Compared with obese men, obese women are less likely to report poor health, but more likely to feel unhappy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0143005X
Volume :
68
Issue :
4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
94811344
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2013-203077