‘Heavy’ life satisfaction: Unveiling the intricate relationships between obesity and well-being in Abu Dhabi
Vol 9, Issue 7, 2024, Article identifier:
VIEWS - 294 (Abstract) 127 (PDF)
Abstract
The study investigates the intricate relationship between obesity and well-being among residents in Abu Dhabi. Obesity is recognized as a significant public health concern worldwide, with potential implications for individuals' overall well-being. Understanding the complex associations between obesity and various aspects of well-being is essential for developing effective interventions to promote healthier lifestyles and improve overall quality of life. The research employs path analysis to explore the direct associations between obesity and multiple well-being indicators. Data is collected from residents in Abu Dhabi, focusing on subjective health, subjective mental health, life satisfaction, physical exercise, and satisfaction with social relationships. Path analysis allows for a comprehensive examination of the relationships between obesity and well-being indicators, providing valuable insights into the potential impacts of obesity on individuals' overall well-being. The path model reveals significant direct associations between self-perceived obesity and various well-being indicators. Specifically, obesity demonstrates direct impacts on life satisfaction, subjective mental health, subjective health, physical exercise, and satisfaction with social relationships. Notably, obesity is negatively associated with life satisfaction (-0.017) but positively associated with mental health (0.111), albeit within a negatively framed context. This suggests that obesity may adversely affect mental health despite its positive association. The findings underscore the complexity of the relationship between obesity and well-being among residents in Abu Dhabi. While obesity negatively impacts life satisfaction, it paradoxically shows a positive association with mental health, albeit within a negatively framed context. These results emphasize the importance of addressing obesity as part of efforts to promote overall well-being and improve quality of life among residents in Abu Dhabi. Future interventions should focus on promoting healthier lifestyles and addressing the psychological impacts of obesity to enhance residents' overall well-being and happiness.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
1. Ahn, S., Zhang, H., Berlin, K., Levy, M., & Kabra, R. (2020). Adverse childhood experiences and childhood obesity: A path analysis approach. Children’s Health Care, 49(3), 247-266.
2. Booth, K. M., Pinkston, M. M., & Poston, W. S. (2005). Obesity and the built environment. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 105(5), S110-117.
3. Almasith, Y. K., Dewi, Y. L. R., & Wekadigunawan, C. (2018). Path Analysis on the Psychosocial Impact of Obesity or Overweight in Adolescents in Surakarta, Central Java. Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health, 3(2), 105-117.
4. Khodarahmi, M., Farhangi, M.A., Khoshro, S., & Dehghan, P. (2021). Factors associated with health-related quality of life in women using path analyses: Mediation effect of the adiposity traits. BMC Women's Health, 21, 395. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01535-7.
5. Ma, Y., Bertone, E. R., Stanek, E. J., Reed, G. W., Hebert, J. R., Cohen, N. L., Merriam, P. A., & Ockene, I. S. (2003). Association between eating patterns and obesity in a free-living US adult population. American Journal of Epidemiology, 158(1), 85-92.
6. Kuroki, M. (2016). Life satisfaction, overweightness and obesity. International Journal of Well-being, 6(2), 93-110.
7. Alegría, M., NeMoyer, A., Falgas, I., Wang, Y., & Alvarez, K. (2019). Social determinants of mental health: Where we are and where we need to go. Current Psychiatry Report, 20(11), 95. doi:10.1007/s11920-018-0969-9.
8. World Health Organization (WHO). (2010). A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health. Geneva.
9. Kohlmaier, J. R. (2003). A path analysis of binge eating and obesity in African Americans: acculturation, racism, emotional distress, binge eating, body dissatisfaction, attitudes towards obesity, dietary restraint, dietary fat intake, and physical activity. LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 4037. https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/4037.
10. Serrano-Fuentes, N., Rogers, A., & Portillo, M. C. (2022). The influence of social relationships and activities on the health of adults with obesity: A qualitative study. Health Expectations, 25(4), 1892-1903. doi: 10.1111/hex.13540.
11. Dogbe, W., Salazar-Ordóñez, M., & Gil, J. M. (2021). Disentangling the drivers of obesity: An analytical framework based on socioeconomic and intrapersonal factors. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 585318. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.585318.
12. Salinas, J. J., Rocha, E., Abdelbary, B. E., Gay, J. L., & Sexton, K. (2012). Impact of Hispanic ethnic concentration and socioeconomic status on obesity prevalence in Texas counties. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(4), 1201-1215.
13. Ghosh, G., Khan, H. T. A., & Vohra, S. (2023). Differentials in health and well-being in older adults with obesity in England: A cross-sectional analysis using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Population Ageing, 16, 819-847.
14. Katsaiti, M. S. (2012). Obesity and happiness. Applied Economics, 44(31), 4101-4114.
15. Oswald, A. J., & Powdthavee, N. (2007). Obesity, unhappiness, and the challenge of affluence: Theory and evidence. Discussion Paper No. 2717, the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn, Germany.
16. Søby, S. F., Sørensen, T. I. A., Jepsen, R., & Køster-Rasmussen, R. (2023). Overweight, weight loss, and self-reported global life satisfaction: The Lolland-Falster Health Study. Obesity Facts, 16(6):567-575.
17. Jarosz, E., & Gugushvili, A. (2022). BMI and dissatisfaction with life: Contextual factors and socioemotional costs of obesity. Quality of Life Research, 31(4), 1167-1177.
18. Wang, L., Du, X., Dong, J. Z., Liu, W. N., Zhou, Y. C., Li, S. N., Guo, X. Y., Jiang, C. X., Yu, R. H., Sang, C. H., Tang, R. B., Long, D. Y., Liu, N., Bai, R., Macle, L., & Ma, C. S. (2019). Body mass index and all‐cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the China atrial fibrillation registry study. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 108, 1371‐1380.
19. Hossain, P., Kawar, B., & El Nahas, M. (2007). Obesity and diabetes in the developing world - A growing challenge. New England Journal of Medicine, 356, 213‐215.
20. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Health effects of overweight and obesity. Retrieved in February 2024 from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html.
21. World Health Organization (WHO). (2024). Obesity: Health consequences of being overweight. Geneva.
22. Luppino, F. S., de Wit, L. M., Bouvy, P. F., Stijnen, T., Cuijpers, P., Penninx, B. W. J. H., & Zitman, F. G. (2010). Overweight, obese, and depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(3), 220. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.2.
23. Rindler, G. A., Gries, A., & Freidl, W. (2023). Associations between overweight, obesity, and mental health: A retrospective study among European adults aged 50. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1206283. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1206283.
24. Grifths, L. J., Parsons, T. J., & Hill, A. J. (2010). Self-esteem and quality of life in obese children and adolescents: A systematic review. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 5(4), 282-304.
25. Sarwer, D. B., & Polonsky, H. M. (2016). The psychosocial burden of obesity. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, 45(3), 677-688.
26. Hotamisligil, G. S. (2006). Inflammation and metabolic disorders. Nature, 444(7121), 860-867.
27. Gallè, F., Valerio, G., Muscariello, E., Daniele, O., Di Mauro, V., Forte, S., Mastantuono, T., Ricchiuti, R., Liguori, G., & Pecoraro, P. (2023). Can a multidisciplinary weight loss treatment improve motor performance in children with obesity? Results from an observational study. Healthcare, 11(6), 899. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060899.
28. Barros, W. M. A., da Silva, K. G., Silva, R. K. P., Souza, A. P. D. S., da Silva, A. B. J., Silva, M. R. M., Fernandes, M. S. S., de Souza, S. L., & Souza, V. O. N. (2022). Effects of overweight/ obesity on motor performance in children: A systematic review. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 759165. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.759165.
29.
30. Harvard School Public School. (2024). Obesity prevention source - Physical activity. Retrieved in March 2024 from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity-and-obesity/#:~:text=Physical%20activity%20increases%20people's%20total,the%20development%20of%20abdominal%20obesity.
31. Raiman, L., Amarnani, R., Abdur-Rahman, M., Marshall, A., & Mani-Babu, S. (2023).The role of physical activity in obesity: Let's actively manage obesity. Clinical Medicine Journal, 23(4), 311-317.
32. Pojednic, R., D'Arpino, E., Halliday, I., & Bantham, A. (2022). The benefits of physical activity for people with obesity, independent of weight loss: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 4981. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19094981.
33. World Health Organization (WHO). (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic. Geneva.
34. Prosper, M. H. (2009). Obesity as a predictor of self-rated health. American Journal Health Behavior, 33(3), 319-329.
35. Papas, M. A., Alberg, A. J., Ewing, R., Helzlsouer, K. J., Gary, T. L., & Klassen, A. C. (2007). The built environment and obesity. Epidemiology Review, 29, 129-143.
36. Sallis, J. F., & Glanz, K. (2006). The role of built environments in physical activity, eating, and obesity in childhood. Future Child, 16, 89-108.
37. Lee, A., Cardel, M., & Donahoo, W. T. (2019). Social and environmental factors influencing obesity. In K. R. Feingold (Eds.) et al. Endotext. MDText.com, Inc.
38. Dunton, G. F., Kaplan, J., Wolch, J., Jerrett, M., & Reynolds, K. D. (2009). Physical environmental correlates of childhood obesity: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 10(4), 393-402.
39. An, R., Shen, J., Yang, Q., & Yang, Y. (2019). Impact of built environment on physical activity and obesity among children and adolescents in China: A narrative systematic review. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 8(2), 153-169.
40. Valente, T. W., Fujimoto, K., Chou, C. P., & Spruijt-Metz, D. (2009). Adolescent affiliations and adiposity: A social network analysis of friendships and obesity. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(2), 202-204.
41. Christakis, N. A., & Fowler, J. H. (2007). The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(4), 370-379.
42. Umberson, D., Crosnoe, R., Reczek, C. (2010). Social relationships and health behavior across the life course. Annual Review of Sociology, 36, 139-157.
43. Centola, D. (2013). Social media and the science of health behavior. Circulation, 127(21), 2135-2144.
44. Moschonis, G., & Trakman, G. L. (2023). Overweight and obesity: The interplay of eating habits and physical activity. Nutrients, 15(13), 2896. doi: 10.3390/nu15132896.
45. Ramírez-Coronel, A. A., Abdu, W. J., Alshahrani, S. H., Treve, M., Jalil, A. T., Alkhayyat, A. S., & Singer, N. (2023). Childhood obesity risk increases with increased screen time: A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 42, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-022-00344-4.
46. Aghasi, M., Matinfar, A., Golzarand, M., Salari-Moghaddam, A., & Ebrahimpour-Koujan, S. (2020). Internet use in relation to overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. Advances in Nutrition, 11(2), 349-356.
47. Park, S., & Lee, Y. (2017). Associations of body weight perception and weight control behaviors with problematic Internet use among Korean adolescents. Psychiatry Research, 251, 275-280.
48. National Council of Aging. (2024). How excess weight impacts our mental and emotional health. Retrieved in March 2024 from https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-excess-weight-impacts-our-mental-and-emotional-health.
49. Cummins, R. A., & Wooden, M. (2014). Personal resilience in times of crisis: The implications of SWB homeostasis and set points. Journal of happiness studies, 15, 223-235.
50. Cummins, R. A. (2016). The theory of subjective well-being homeostasis: A contribution to understanding life quality. A life devoted to quality of life: Festschrift in honour of Alex C. Michalos, 61-79.
51. Capic, T., Li, N., & Cummins, R. A. (2018). Confirmation of subjective well-being set-points: Foundational for subjective social indicators. Social Indicators Research, 137, 1-28.
52. Cummins, R. A., Li, N., Wooden, M., & Stokes, M. (2014). A demonstration of set-points for subjective well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15, 183-206.
53. Cummins, R. A. (2002). Subjective well-being from rich and poor. In Rich and poor: Disparities, perceptions, concomitants (pp. 137-156). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
54. Cummins, R. A. (2000). Personal income and subjective well-being: A review. Journal of happiness studies, 1(2), 133-158.
55. Cummins, R. A. (2018). Physical activity and subjective well-being. Handbook of Leisure, Physical Activity, Sports, Recreation and Quality of Life, 275-291.
56. Cummins, R. A., & Lau, A. L. (2004). The motivation to maintain subjective well-being: A homeostatic model. In International Review of Research in Mental Retardation (Vol. 28, pp. 255-301). Academic Press.
57. Goens, D., Virzi, N. E., Jung, S. E., Rutledge, T. R., & Zarrinpar, A. (2023). Obesity, chronic stress, and stress reduction. Gastroenterology Clinics, 52(2), 347-362.
58. Wiczinski, E., Döring, A., John, J., von Lengerke, T., & KORA Study Group. (2009). Obesity and health‐related quality of life: Does social support moderate existing associations? British Journal of Health Psychology, 14(4), 717-734.
59. Badri, M., Alkhaili, M., Aldhaheri, H. Yang G, Albahar M, Yaaqeib, S. & Alrashdi A. l. From good sleep to health and to quality of life – a path analysis of determinants of sleep quality of working adults in Abu Dhabi. Sleep Science Practice 7, 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41606-023-00083-3.
60. Badri MA, Alkhaili M, Aldhaheri H, Yang G, Albahar M, Alrashdi A. (2022). Exploring the Reciprocal Relationships between Happiness and Life Satisfaction of Working Adults-Evidence from Abu Dhabi. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Mar 17;19(6):3575. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063575. PMID: 35329261; PMCID: PMC8955857.
61. Badri, M., Al Khaili, M., Aldhaheri, H., Yang, G., Al Bahar, M., & Al Rashdi, A. (2022). Examining the structural effect of working time on well-being: Evidence from Abu Dhabi. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 6(1), 100317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100317.
62. Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1996). LISREL8: User’s reference guide. Scientific Software.
63. King, D. B., Canham, S. L., & Cobb, R. J. (2018). Reciprocal effects of life Satisfaction and depressive symptoms within long-wed couples over time. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 73(3), 363-371.
64. Joshanloo, M., & Blasco-Belled, A. (2023). Reciprocal associations between depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and eudaimonic well-being in older adults over a 16-year period. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2374. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032374.
65. Cai, D., Zhu, M., Lin, M., Zhang, X. C., & Margraf, J. (2017). The bidirectional relationship between positive mental health and social rhythm in college students: A three-year longitudinal study. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1119. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01119.
66. Huang, H., Wan Mohamed Radzi, C. W., & Salarzadeh Jenatabadi, H. (2017). Family environment and childhood obesity: A new framework with structural equation modeling. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(2), 181. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14020181.
67. De la Haye, K., Robins, G., Mohr, P., & Wilson, C. (2010). Obesity-related behaviors in adolescent friendship networks. Social Networks, 32(3), 161-167.
68. Cummins, R. A. (2019). Well-being across cultures: issues of measurement and the interpretation of data. Cross‐Cultural Psychology: Contemporary Themes and Perspectives, 516-530.
69. Cummins, R. A., Lau, A. L., & Davern, M. T. (2011). Subjective well-being homeostasis. In Handbook of social indicators and quality of life research (pp. 79-98). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
70. Tomyn, A. J., Weinberg, M. K., & Cummins, R. A. (2015). Intervention efficacy among ‘at risk’adolescents: a test of subjective well-being homeostasis theory. Social Indicators Research, 120, 883-895.
71. Petridou, A., Siopi, A., & Mougios, V. (2019). Exercise in the management of obesity. Metabolism, 92, 163-169.
72. Carraça, E. V., Encantado, J., Battista, F., Beaulieu, K., Blundell, J. E., Busetto, L., ... & Oppert, J. M. (2021). Effect of exercise training on psychological outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 22, e13261.
73. Cummins, R. A. (2013). Subjective well-being, homeostatically protected mood and depression: A synthesis. The exploration of happiness: present and future perspectives, 77-95.
74. Tarantino, G.; Cataldi, M.; Citro, V. Could Alcohol Abuse and Dependence on Junk Foods Inducing Obesity and/or Illicit Drug Use Represent Danger to Liver in Young People with Altered Psychological/Relational Spheres or Emotional Problems? Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 10406. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810406
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v9i7.2765
(294 Abstract Views, 127 PDF Downloads)
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2024 Masood Badri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.