Heaviness, health and happiness: a cross-sectional study of 163 066 UK Biobank participants

Ul-Haq, Z. et al. (2014) Heaviness, health and happiness: a cross-sectional study of 163 066 UK Biobank participants. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68(4), pp. 340-348. (doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-203077) (PMID:24336235)

Abstract

<b>Background</b><p></p> Obesity is known to increase the risk of many diseases and reduce overall quality of life. This study examines the relationship with self-reported health (SRH) and happiness.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> <p></p>We conducted a cross-sectional study of the 163 066 UK Biobank participants who completed the happiness rating. The association between adiposity and SRH and happiness was examined using logistic regression. SRH was defined as good (excellent, good), or poor (fair, poor). Self-reported happiness was defined as happy (extremely, very, moderately) or unhappy (moderately, very, extremely). <p></p> <b>Results</b> <p></p>Poor health was reported by 44 457 (27.3%) participants. The adjusted ORs for poor health were 3.86, 2.92, 2.60 and 6.41 for the highest, compared with lowest, deciles of Body Mass Index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and body fat percent, respectively. The associations were stronger in men (p<0.001). Overall, 7511 (4.6%) participants felt unhappy, and only class III obese participants were more likely to feel unhappy (adjusted OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.53, p<0.001) but the associations differed by sex (p<0.001). Among women, there was a significant association between unhappiness and all levels of obesity. By contrast, only class III obese men had significantly increased risk and overweight and class I obese men were less likely to be unhappy. <p></p> <b>Conclusions</b><p></p>Obesity impacts adversely on happiness as well as health, but the association with unhappiness disappeared after adjustment for self-reported health, indicating this may be mediated by health. Compared with obese men, obese women are less likely to report poor health, but more likely to feel unhappy. <p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Martin, Dr Daniel and Gill, Professor Jason and Smith, Professor Daniel and Nicholl, Dr Barbara and Evans, Professor Jonathan and Cullen, Dr Breda and Mackay, Professor Daniel and Pell, Professor Jill
• Authors: Ul-Haq, Z., Mackay, D. F., Martin, D., Smith, D. J., Gill, J. M.R., Nicholl, B. I., Cullen, B., Evans, J., Roberts, B., Deary, I. J., Gallacher, J., Hotopf, M., Craddock, N., and Pell, J. P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 0143-005X
• ISSN (Online): 0141-7681
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 BMJ
• First Published: First published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 68(4):340-348
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher