Obesity and Quality of Life in Young Women: Role of General and Central Adiposity.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a multifaceted disease and a growing public health concern that affects both physical health and psychosocial well-being. While its consequences are well documented in older adults, the impact of obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young women remains insufficiently explored. Furthermore, limited evidence is available comparing how general and central adiposity differentially influence the various dimensions of HRQoL. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of obesity on HRQoL in young women by comparing general adiposity and central adiposity across the physical, psychological, and social domains. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 Caucasian women aged 18-45 years (mean age 31.8 ± 6.8 years); 69 with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m²) and 61 with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²). Anthropometric parameters were recorded, including BMI as an indicator of general adiposity and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) as measures of central adiposity. HRQoL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), which evaluates eight domains and two composite scores: the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). RESULTS: Women with obesity reported significantly lower HRQoL across all SF-36 domains compared with normal-weight participants (all p < 0.001). PCS and MCS scores declined progressively with increasing BMI, WHtR, and WHR, with the greatest impairments observed in class II and III obesity and in women with WHtR ≥0.60 or WHR ≥0.86. Correlation and regression analyses confirmed strong inverse associations between adiposity indicators and HRQoL, with central measures emerging as the most sensitive predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in young women is associated with marked reductions in HRQoL across both physical and mental domains. The decline was most pronounced in women with class II and III obesity and elevated WHtR and WHR, reflecting the combined effects of general and central adiposity. These findings emphasize the need for early, multidisciplinary interventions targeting abdominal fat reduction and psychosocial well-being to enhance overall quality of life.