Perceived Effect of Obesity in Rural Vs. Urban Areas

This study examined the effects of obesity on quality of life (QOL) using the ORWELL 97 questionnaire, which measured pychosocial (discomfort and impact) and physical (physical discomfort) distress. Data were collected during Spring and Summer semesters (2006) from physical activity classes and student organizations. A total of 166 students (84 males, 86 females) participated. Students were grouped by sex (male, female), weight category (obese, non-obese) or BMI (obese, overweight, normal weight), and geographic area (rural, urban); three-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested for main effects and interactions. Obese participants reported a poorer QOL than the non-obese, and females reported a poorer QOL than males; there were no significant differences for rural vs. urban areas. Psychosocial distress appeared to play a role in students' QOL; physical distress did not. The ORWELL 97 appears to be a useful addition to other istruments when measuring QOL in university students in the United States.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Kinesiology (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis (open access)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Macleod, Damian Richard

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jim McMillan
• Stuart H. Tedders

• ETD
• Quality of life
• BMI
• Obesity
• ORWELL 97 questionnaire
• Psychosocial distress
• Physical distress

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/98

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1098