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Performance of a Weight-related Measure of Quality of Life in a Psychiatric Sample

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Abstract

The Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) questionnaire has been validated previously in weight loss program participants and community volunteers. Because of the prevalence of obesity in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, this study evaluates the psychometric performance of the IWQOL-Lite in these populations. A sample of 111 individuals with schizophrenia (mean age = 43.5; mean BMI = 32.6; 42.3% female; 59.5% Caucasian) and 100 with bipolar disorder (mean age = 42.8; mean BMI = 34.8; 66.0% female; 81.0% Caucasian) were recruited from four programs. Height and weight measurements were taken and participants completed the IWQOL-Lite, Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-36 (SF-36), and Global Ratings of quality of life. Sixty-five participants completed the IWQOL-Lite 1–2 weeks later to determine stability of results. Sixty-four percent of schizophrenic participants and 68.0% of bipolar participants were obese. The IWQOL-Lite demonstrated excellent reliability in the current sample, with alpha coefficients ranging from 0.874 to 0.970 and test–retest coefficients ranging from 0.740 to 0.945. Correlations with collateral measures and BMI supported the construct validity of the IWQOL-Lite in this population. The IWQOL-Lite is a reliable and valid measure for assessing weight-related quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body Mass Index

hsd:

Honestly significant difference

IWQOL-Lite:

Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite

MCS:

Mental Component Summary

PCS:

Physical Component Summary

SD:

Standard Deviation

SF-36:

Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-36

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obesity and Quality of Life Consulting, 1004 Norwood Avenue, Durham, NC, 27707, USA

    Ronette L. Kolotkin

  2. Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Ronette L. Kolotkin

  3. Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND, USA

    Ross D. Crosby & Jodi M. Swanson

  4. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND, USA

    Ross D. Crosby

  5. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT, USA

    Patricia K. Corey-Lisle & Hong Li

Authors
  1. Ronette L. Kolotkin
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  2. Ross D. Crosby
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  3. Patricia K. Corey-Lisle
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  4. Hong Li
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  5. Jodi M. Swanson
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Correspondence to Ronette L. Kolotkin.

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Kolotkin, R.L., Crosby, R.D., Corey-Lisle, P.K. et al. Performance of a Weight-related Measure of Quality of Life in a Psychiatric Sample. Qual Life Res 15, 587–596 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-4627-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-4627-4

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