The Association Between Obesity and Health-Related Quality of Life: Recent Evidence from Australia

This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among a general and representative sample of Australian adults. The sample consists of respondents aged 18 to 79 who completed the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021. These respondents completed the SF-36 questionnaire and provided data on their height, weight, medical conditions, and sociodemographic characteristics. We converted SF-36 questionnaire responses into SF-6D utility scores and estimated separate random effects regression models for men and women. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors and nine obesity-related medical conditions, we find that obesity (BMI ≥ 30) is associated with lower utility scores. Obese men had, on average, a lower utility score (-0.0129; p < 0.01) than men within the healthy range (BMI 18.5 to < 25). Obese women also had, on average, a lower utility score (-0.0220; p < 0.01) than women within the healthy range (BMI 18.5 to < 25). Our findings highlight the need for public health strategies that address not only the clinical risks of obesity but also its impact on HRQoL.