The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society Med Journal May 2019 Final 2 | Page 15

Table 1. Participants HRQoL Score Range for Weight Classification
HRQoL Score Range
BMI z-Score Weight Classification
25-49%
Healthy Weight
Overweight
50-74% 75-100% Total 0 4 11 15
% Within Weight Class 0% 26.7% 73.3% 100%
% Within HRQoL Score Range 0% 44.4% 52.4% 48.4%
% of Total 0% 12.9% 35.5% 48.4%
1 1 4 6
Count
Count
Figure 1. Stunkard’s Visual Figures Scale % Within Weight Class 16.7% 16.7% 66.7% 100%
Statistical Analysis % Within HRQoL Score Range 100% 11.1% 19% 19.4%
% of Total 3.2% 3.2% 12.9% 19.4%
0 4 6 10
% Within Weight Class 0% 40% 60% 100%
% Within HRQoL Score Range 0% 44.4% 28.6% 32.3%
% of total 0% 12.9% 19.4% 32.3%
1 9 21 31
% Within Weight Class 3.2% 29% 67.7% 100%
% Within HRQoL Score Range 100% 100% 100% 100%
% of total 3.2% 29% 67.7% 100%
Data was analyzed using descriptives and fre-
quencies, bivariate correlations, one-way ANOVA,
and independent samples t-test using the Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Obese
RESULTS
Of the sample (n=35), the minimum VFL was a
level 1 (n=4) and the maximum VFL was a level 20
(n=1). Majority (77%, n=27) of participants scored
within healthy recommendations (VFL<10) and
22% (n=8) scored an excessive VFL (VFL>10). All
participants who classified as healthy weight and
overweight also had a healthy VFL, while only three
participants who were classified as obese had a
healthy VFL.
The minimum BMI z-score was 19 (n=1) and
the maximum was 99 (n=1). Approximately half
(49%, n=17) of participants were within healthy BMI
z-score, whereas 20% (n=7) were classified over-
weight, and 31% (n=11) were classified as obese.
The minimum HRQoL was 32 and the maximum
was 100 (M=80.9, SD=1508). Participants who
scored less than 75% on the HRQoL were mostly of
a healthy weight (n=11, 73.3%) see Table 1.
As predicted, positive correlations were exhib-
ited between PBF and BMI z-score and VFL (r=.851,
p<.000; r=.937, p<.000, respectively). A positive
correlation was also seen between VFL and BMI z-
score (r=.745, p<.000, respectively)—see Table
2. BID (M=.967, SD=.982) and HRQoL (M=80.90,
SD=15.08) were significantly, negatively related (r=-
.451, p=.012), and those who were obese had the
highest levels of BID (M=1.8, SE=.29)—see Figure
Total
Count
Count
3. Obese participants (n=11) were more likely than
overweight (n=7) or healthy weight (n=17) partici-
pants to report body-image dissatisfaction (p=.002
and p=.001, respectively)—see Figure 4. Males
had a greater BID (M=1.33) than females (M=.625),
a greater BMI z-score (M=82.53) than females
(M=67.5), and a higher VFL (M=7.59) than females
(M=4.67)—see Figure 5. HRQoL’s only correlation
was to BID—see Figure 6. Children of this age group may not yet be expe-
riencing problems with teasing and bullying, or the
children may not have mentally matured enough to
identify adverse social conditions like many studies
suggest. Another possibility is that due to the vast
population of elevated BMI individuals in Arkansas,
an elevated BMI z-score may appear to be consid-
ered “normal” to many of the children, so teasing
may not occur.
DISCUSSION & FUTURE STUDIES Limitations include small sample size which
may impact results, data collection from one school,
and collecting data once in a school year. Further
research will need to be conducted with the same
participants as they continue into adolescence and
until they graduate from secondary school. As stu-
dents age, HRQoL will most likely change. Observing
changes over time may provide more information
about how to address BID, which often leads to other
mental stressors. Establishing greater rapport with
students and faculty may encourage greater par-
ticipation in the next study. A major gap in literature
pertaining to VFL cut-offs in adolescence made the
present study of defining appropriate VFL challeng-
ing. Currently, there are not any VFL reference ranges
for children or adolescents in the U.S. Due to this
limitation, the adult threshold of 100 cm 2 was used.
Although BMI z-score and VFL were closely
related, the data for some participants presented
anomalies. Many students who were classified as
obese by BMI z-score were within acceptable VFL
ranges. Elevated levels of BID were seen in every
weight group. Some participants who were of healthy
weight classification scored low HRQoL, while other
participants of obese weight classification scored
high HRQoL. In general, HRQoL was inversely related
to BID, so higher levels of BID indicated lower levels
of HRQoL.
Table 2. Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Results
PBF
VFL
BMI z-score
BID
HRQoL
*p<.05, **p<.01
PBF VFL BMI z-score BID HRQoL
1 .937** .851** .577** -.155
1 .745** .531** -.147
1 .473** -.185
1 -.450*
1
Future studies to be carried out should work to
resolve the following factors:
1) Having a larger sample, adding additional
schools or increasing participation within
schools. Having a larger sample will aid in
NUMBER 11
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