Health Related Quality of Life among Saudi Undergraduate Students with Different Categories of Body Mass Index

Background: Health related quality of life (HRQoL) is a critical indicator of one’s perception of health and well-being. The objective of the study was to assess and compare HRQoL among undergraduate students at different categories of body mass index. Method: 140 undergraduate students at the mean age 19 ±0.70 years were randomly assigned into underweight <18.5 kg/m² [n= 37: 26.4%], normal-weight 18.5-24.9 kg/m² [n= 31: 22.1%], obese ≥30.00 kg/m² [37: 26.4%] and obese class III ≥40.00 kg/m² [n=35: 25%] groups. HRQoL was also measured using CDC HRQOL-14. Results: SRH-good results were as the following: underweight students 87%, normal weight 94%, obese 73% and obese-III 57%. The activity limitation days were observed more among obese and obese-III category expressing lack of sleep, worrisome and depression. Underweight and obese category students exhibited less energetic days. Conclusion: HRQoL was low among obese and obese class III students. Normal weight category students exhibited better SRH-good. Obese class had more unhealthy days with regard to physical and mental issues and reported more days of activity limitation due to pain, depression and lack of sleep. Obese students had greater impairments in emotional problems.